What is Amaranth

The term 'amaranth' originated from the Greek word amarantos, which means unfading. It is a general name for about 60 species of herbs, classified under the genus Amaranthus.

Although most species of amaranth are regarded as weeds, as many as 11 of them are grown as crops and cultivated for their high nutritional value. Its history can be traced back to the Aztecs, who had discovered its significance as a rich source of nutrition. Known as the "mystical grain", amaranth was the staple food of the Aztecs.

Today, some species are cultivated as grain crops while some as vegetable crops. There are still others that serve as forage plants or as ornamental plants for gardens. It is one of the few herbaceous plants that undergo C₄ metabolism. This physiological feature enables it to survive extreme climatic conditions, including high temperature and humidity. Here's more on amaranth and its various uses.

So, how do you identify an amaranth plant when you come across one? Confused? Studying about how the plant looks like, will help you.

The Amaranth plant grows upright, to an average height of 2 to 8 feet. It is a single-stemmed dicot, similar to the sunflower plant. It has broad, green, and smooth leaves that grow on either side of the stem. The flowers are red, orange, purple, maroon or gold. Some species may even have green flowers.

As the name suggests, the flowers of Amaranth plant never fade, even after they are plucked. The remarkably attractive flowers produce small seeds, which are pink, cream or black. A single flower yields thousands of seeds.

The common pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is also one of the species of amaranth and a weed variety. Another famous species of the genus Amaranthus is the flower, Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus). An ornamental plant, it has beautiful, bright, cascading flowers that are maroon or red in color. It is a spectacular sight to see this amaranth species in full bloom!

Enjoyed growing virtual amaranth in Farmville and now want to try your hand at the real thing? Well, here's good news for you! The plant will easily grow in your garden. All it requires, is some moisture and nutrients in the soil. You can even grow one indoors. It is a plant that is resistant to a variety of conditions. However, you need to ensure from time to time that your plants are free from insects and diseases.

Amaranth is a plant with high nutritive value, and is a rich source of proteins and minerals. Another reason it is considered a healthier alternative to everyday food grains like rice and wheat is that, it is a gluten-free grain. Gluten is a type of protein found in most food grains. However, nutritionists believe that a large percentage of the human population is gluten-intolerant and this causes stomach upsets and problems in digestion. 

It is also abundant in useful minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium and other substances such as dietary fibers, lysine and saturated fatty acids. Let us see how each of these components contribute to the overall nutritive value of this grain crop.

• Lysine: Lysine is an essential amino-acid which assists in the formation of other amino-acids. It produces antibodies that form the immune system of the body. It also aids in the formation of collagen, which is the basic component of connective tissue like bones and cartilage.

• Calcium: Calcium is essential for strong bones and prevention of osteoporosis.
• Iron: Iron is a constituent of hemoglobin, an oxygen carrying compound present in the red blood corpuscles (RBCs). Deficiency of iron in the body causes anemia. Iron is also essential for muscle formation and healthy muscles.

• Potassium and Magnesium: Potassium is essential for the smooth functioning of muscles and transmission of nerve impulses, while magnesium is essential for strong bones.
• Dietary Fiber: Dietary fibers are soluble fibers that regulate the glucose level in blood by slowing down the digestion of food in the intestines. Carbohydrates rich in fibers, have fewer calories, and are essential for a healthy diet.

Wondering how to include this beneficiary herb in your daily diet? Well, that can be brought about in several ways. Amaranth has a mild nutty flavor and turns sticky when cooked.You can pop the seeds to make popcorn or roast them. Both ways, the seeds serve as yummy snacks! The seeds can be ground to get amaranth flour, which can be used to bake bread.

The young leaves and sprouts of seeds, can be used in salads. The seeds can also be added to soups or cooked like any other grain. So, now that you know how to cook amaranth, this wonder herb is sure to bring some variety to your diet.

In addition to its use as a food grain, amaranth is also used for the treatment of ulcers, diarrhea and hemorrhage. The leaves are used to treat wounds and snake-bites, and consumed as a treatment for worms in the intestine. This beneficial herb is probably the best answer to our quest for food that is savory, yet healthy. So, start your day with that bowl of amaranth seed porridge and discover a healthier you!