Amaranth grain
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Amaranth has been cultivated as a grain for 8,000 years. [1] The yield of grain amaranth is comparable to rice or maize. It was a staple food of the Aztecs, and was used as an integral part of Aztec religious ceremonies. The cultivation of amaranth was banned by the conquistadores upon their conquest of the Aztec nation. Because the plant has continued to grow as a weed since that time, its genetic base has been largely maintained. Research on grain amaranth began in the US in the 1970s. By the end of the 1970s, a few thousand acres were being cultivated.[2] Much of the grain currently grown is sold in health food shops.
Grain amaranth is also grown as a food crop in limited amounts in Mexico, where it is used to make a candy called alegría (Spanish for happiness) at festival times. The grains are popped, and mixed with honey. In Maharashtra state of India, it is called 'Rajgira' in marathi language. The popped grains are mixed with melted jaggery in proper proportion to make iron & energy rich 'laddus' that is a popular food provided in Mid-day Meal Program in municipal schools.
Amaranth grain can also be used to extract amaranth oil - a particularly valued pressed seed oil with many commercial uses.
[edit] Nutritional analysis
As the following table shows, grain amaranth is particularly nutritious.[3]
| The proximate composition of grain and raw leaves of amaranth (100g portions) | |
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Moisture | 9.0 g |
| Protein | 15.0 g |
| Fat | 7.0 g |
| Total carbohydrates | 63.0 g |
| Fiber | 2.9 g |
| Calories | 391 |
| Phosphorus | 477 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.32 mg |
| Niacin | 1.0 mg |
| Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) | 3.0 mg |
| Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 0.14 mg |
| Ash | 2.6 g |
| Calcium | 490 mg |
Notable nutritional attributes of amaranth grain include:-
- The protein, which is of an unusually high quality, according to ECHO.[1]
- A ¼ cup of amaranth grain supplies 60% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of iron. [4]
- Amaranth grain is particularly high in lysine, an amino acid that most grains lack.[5]
- Amaranth grain is free of gluten, which is important for people with gluten allergies.
[edit] Additional Agricultural Information
Amaranth from its start as a plant has literally a worldwide population currently where there are varieties for greens, varieties for grain, combinations and even ornamentals. The Great Plains has seen a surge in this crop from Rodale Farms developed varieties.
Amaranth in its wild form in the United States is locally termed pigweed as it would always sprout where hogs were pasture fed. This weed grows to approximately 30 inches, but some like the Orange Giant Amaranth which will produce up to a pound of seed per plant will grow in good conditions to 8 feet.
The virtue of amaranth is in light soils, it will produce food under harsh and lackluster nutrient conditions much like grain sorghum. It is a very efficient grain crop.
[edit] References
- ^ a b G. Kelly O'Brien and Martin L. Price (1983). "Amaranth: Grain & Vegetable Types" (PDF). ECHO Technical Note. http://www.echotech.org/technical/technotes/amaranth.PDF.
- ^ Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute. "Grain Amaranth: A Lost Crop of the Americas". http://www.jeffersoninstitute.org/pubs/amaranth.shtml. (PDF version also available)
- ^ J.N. Cole (1979). Amaranth: from the Past, for the Future. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA.
- ^ "Certified Organic Amaranth Typical Quality Analysis" (PDF). American Health & Nutrition. http://www.organicharvest.com/pdf/amaranth.pdf.
- ^ Robert L. Myers and Daniel H. Putnam (1988). "Growing Grain Amaranth as a Specialty Crop". Crop Systems. University of Minnesota. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC3458.html.
