What To Do With Amaranth (2024)

FAQs

What To Do With Amaranth? ›

A ban on the plant was made on religious grounds. The Catholic Church found the use of small cakes made of amaranth seed and honey (sometimes allegedly mixed with human blood) in pagan rituals, to be eerily similar to using the host during Mass, and declared it blasphemy.

A ban on the plant was made on religious grounds. The Catholic Church found the use of small cakes made of amaranth seed and honey (sometimes allegedly mixed with human blood) in pagan rituals, to be eerily similar to using the host during Mass, and declared it blasphemy.

Combine the amaranth and water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir every once in a while, as the amaranth may stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir in the milk, syrup or brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.

Amaranth leaves are usually picked fresh for use as greens in salads or blanched, steamed, boiled, fried in oil, and mixed with meat, fish, cucurbit seeds, groundnut or palm oil. Cooked greens can be used as a side dish, in soups or as an ingredient in sauce and baby food formulations.

They have a sweet and nutty flavor and are a bit crunchy when cooked. The greens of the plant are also edible and have a sweet flavor.

For people with intolerance to lysinuric protein, eating amaranth may cause diarrhoea and stomach pain. Moreover, another side effect of lysine increase body's calcium absorption, and bring free, damage-causing amount of calcium in the body. So avoid taking large amounts of calcium and lysine at the same time.

Like all azo dyes, Amaranth was, during the middle of the 20th century, made from coal tar; modern synthetics are more likely to be made from petroleum byproducts. Since 1976, amaranth dye has been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a suspected carcinogen.

Soaking: If you have the time, consider soaking the amaranth overnight before cooking. "Soaking the grains makes their nutrients easier to digest and shortens the cooking time," says Ziata. Simply combine amaranth and water in a large bowl, completely submerging the grains.

Amaranth contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber plays an important role in digestion. It can help relieve diarrhea and constipation by ensuring a person has a consistent stool texture. Additionally, it helps the body manage blood sugar , so it is especially important for people living with diabetes.

If it isn't moldy, check to see if there is any odor coming from the amaranth. If it doesn't fall under either of those conditions, the taste can be off. It should be sweet and nutty. If it isn't, it may be rancid.

What amaranth is not edible? ›

Nearly all amaranths are edible, including 'love-lies-bleeding' and even the common roadside weedy forms (avoid any that may have been treated with pesticides). But those sold as edible varieties are selected for their good seed production and especially tasty leaves.

For thousands of years, the original inhabitants of the Americas collected amaranth as a wild food and then domesticated it for its grain into the varieties enjoyed today. The Aztec people used amaranth to celebrate the war god, Huītzilōpōchtli, which roughly translates to Hummingbird of the Left.

The Aztecs, as part of a religious ceremony, would create sculptures of the gods out of amaranth grains and honey, and later break them apart for the people to eat, in a type of communion (an inspiration to the modern-day artist Javier Marín).

says amaranth also provides 22 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6 (compared to just 18 percent in quinoa.) "B6 plays a key role in producing serotonin which affects our mood and sleep," she says. The grain also contains high amounts of thiamine (B1), necessary for nervous system function.

The benefits of amaranth come from the fact that it's a complete protein that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It's also rich in fiber and has shown to fight heart disease and digestive problems.

Amaranth provides gluten-free protein, which can be consumed even by people with health conditions such as gluten allergy or celiac disease. Good for gut health: Both the seeds and leaves are rich in fiber. Fiber aids in the digestion system, prevents constipation, and maintains gut health.

In an attempt to exercise violent control and oppression, the Spanish banned amaranth and imposed cruel punishments on the Aztecs for growing or saving amaranth seeds. But amaranth didn't entirely disappear. For generations, it became the best kept secret in Mesoamerica.

Once as fundamental to Central and South American diets as corn and beans, amaranth virtually disappeared after the Spanish banned it because of its use in Aztec human sacrifice rituals.

Amaranth is not toxic to humans. Instead, it's a nutritious grain that's been a staple in diets for centuries, particularly in Mexico. The grain is celebrated for its high protein content and has been used in various forms, from popping like popcorn to being mixed into sweets like alegría during festivals.

Amaranth dye is possibly carcinogenic, but it is not derived from the amaranth plant. The dye appears to have been given the name “amaranth” because it is a red dye, with “amaranth” being used as a color name. Amaranth grain, interestingly, may have anti cancer properties.