7/6/2023 0 Comments Amaranth seedlings![]() cruentus (purple amaranth) weedy species are represented by A. Other vegetable amaranths are represented by A. caudatus varieties are best adapted to the tropical highlands. ![]() caudatus (love-lies-bleeding), is a third type of grain species, although is often grown more as an ornamental. tricolor (tampala) is grown primarily for the leaves. cruentus (purple amaranth) are commonly grown for grain, and A. hypochondriacus (prince’s feather) and A. Of the various species of amaranth, three have been selected over the years as the choice for human and animal consumption. Vegetable amaranth has been used in China for over 400 years, yet is commonly found in the Caribbean and Africa grain amaranth was cultivated and revered by the Aztecs in Mexico, the Mayas in Central America and the Inca in South America. Over 400 varieties within these species are found throughout the world in both temperate and tropical climates, and fall roughly into one of four categories: grain, vegetable, ornamental or weed. DescriptionĪmaranth consists of 60–70 species, 40 of which are considered native to the Americas. In that area today only a limited amount of amaranth grain is grown, most of which is popped and mixed with honey to make a confection called, “alegría.” However, much of the genetic base has been maintained there because amaranth has continued to grow as a wildflower. In the 1500’s the Spanish conquistadors prohibited amaranth production. It was a staple of the Aztecs and incorporated into their religious ceremonies. Originating in the Americas and Europe, amaranth has been cultivated for more than 8,000 years, dating back at least to the Mayan civilization of South and Central America. Amaranths grown principally for vegetable use have better tasting leaves then the grain types. The leaves of both the grain and vegetable types may be eaten raw or cooked. The grain is milled for flour or popped like popcorn. Both leaves and seeds contain protein of an unusually high quality. ![]() ![]() Amaranth is an herbaceous annual with upright growth habit, cultivated for both its seeds which are used as a grain and its leaves which are used as a vegetable or green. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |