Amaranth
Amaranthus or amaranth is a group of plants that are grown as leaf vegetables, cereals and ornamentals. For example in Bangladesh, the red amaranth is grown in many homestead gardens and eaten as a type of red spinach.
This page provides some basic information on amaranth, some photos of amaranth, and amaranth recipes.
Basic information on amaranth
| Scientific name: | Amaranthussp. |
| Some species cultivated in Asia are Amaranthus cruentus, A. blitum, A. dubius, and A. tricolor | |
| English: | Amaranth |
| Spanish: | Amaranto |
| German: | Hauswurz |
| Dutch: | Amarant |
| Italian: | Amaranto |
| French: | Amarante |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Origin: | America |
| Distribution: | Amaranth is now grown all over the world, especially in warmer climates. |
| Annual, biennial, or perennial: | Amaranth is an annual plant. |
| Flowers: | |
| Leaves: | Amaranth leaves can be green, red or purple, depending on the species and variety. |
| Fruits: | The seeds of Amaranth can be eaten as a grain. |
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| Propagation: | Amaranth is grown from seed. |
| Insect pests: | Some leaf eating insects can damage Amaranth. |
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| Harvesting: | Amaranth leaves are collected by hand picking. |
| Uses: | Some species of Amaranth are grown for their seeds, which can be eaten as a grain. But because Amaranth does not belong to the grasses family, it is called a pseudograin or pseudocereal. Many other species are grown as a leafy vegetable. The leaves are cooked as a type of spinach or can be used in salads. Several Amaranthus species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Note that in some cases Amaranthus spp. are considered a weed. |
Amaranth photos
Proverbs about amaranth
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Quotes about amaranth
- "We called the album 'Amarantine' to mean everlasting. Poets use the word to describe an everlasting flower and I loved the image of that." (Enya)
Did you know that?
- Amaranth was once used as a staple food by the Incas.
- The word Amaranth is used for a reddish-purple color.
Amaranth recipes
Amaranth spinach
Ingredients:
Red amaranth leaves (1 bunch)
Oil (2 tablespoons)
Garlic (1 teaspoon, crushed)
Oyster sauce (2 tablespoons )
Sugar (2 teaspoons)
Cornstarch (2 teaspoons)
How to prepare:
Wash and dry the amaranth leaves. Discard tough stems. Pick leaves and cut stems
into smaller pieces. Heat oil and fry the garlic on low fire until it has a pale golden color. Add the amaranth leaves and then on medium high fire mix gently until the leaves are just cooked. Then add oyster sauce and sugar. Cover with a lid and let it steam for one or two minutes. Mix cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir this into the amaranth liquid until it boils and thickens. Serve this amaranth spinach with steamed rice.