Amaranth grain has been cultivated for 8,000 years. Amaranth plants are classified as pseudocereals that are grown for their edible starchy seeds, but they are not in the same botanical family as true cereals such as rice and wheat. Much of the amaranth grain currently grown is sold in health food stores. It is also grown as a food crop in limited areas of Mexico, where it is used to make candy called alegria at festival times. Here Rose Lidell, Food.news, reflects on how to grow and cook amaranth:

Amaranth is a fascinating superfood. As a pseudocereal, it has a similar nutrient profile to oats and wheat. Grow this superfood in your home garden so you can have access to a versatile grain that’s rich in antioxidants.

Amaranth’s impressive nutrient profile

If you have gluten sensitivity or intolerance, you should incorporate amaranth into your diet. This superfood is naturally gluten-free and is a healthy source of carbohydrates.

Amaranth is full of dietary fiber, antioxidants, micronutrients and protein, all of which you need to maintain good overall health.

Classified as a pseudocereal, amaranth is technically not a cereal grain like wheat or oats, even if it contains a similar set of nutrients and can be used in similar ways. Amaranth has an earthy, nutty flavor that works well in different dishes. Cooked amaranth isn’t fluffy. Rather, it has a porridge-like consistency.

A one-cup serving of cooked amaranth contains 251 calories and 9.3 grams of protein. The same serving contains 46 grams of carbs, 5.2 grams of fat and 105 percent of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) for manganese, a nutrient that’s essential for brain function.

Amaranth also contains the following nutrients:

• Copper (18 percent of the RDI)
• Iron (29 percent of the RDI)
• Magnesium (40 percent of the RDI)
• Phosphorus (36 percent of the RDI)
• Selenium (19 percent of the RDI)

Amaranth is full of beneficial antioxidants that can protect your body from free radical damage, which is linked to the development of chronic diseases.

Growing and harvesting amaranth

You can buy amaranth at your local health store, but growing it in your home garden will give you access to the grain all year round, especially if you store it properly to extend its shelf life.

Tips for growing amaranth

Amaranth seeds are small. You just need to sprinkle and rake them into garden soil. The plant itself is self-seeding and will produce more plants next year if you let it go to seed.”

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