A welcome impostor, amaranth is actually not a cereal grain by definition. It belongs to another plant family entirely. But, because its nutritional composition is so similar, it is often included with cereal grains.
These tall plants get their name from a Greek word that means “the never-fading” or “one that does not wither.” Our friend, amaranth, is true to its name. Its bright gold, purple, and red leaves retain their brilliance even after harvest and drying. Even the leaves can be aesthetically exciting in certain varieties – from deep red to light green with purple veins. The grain itself is tiny (About the size of the eye of a needle) and is a pale cream color, but there are normally a few rogue black grains mixed in.
As far as growing goes, amaranth prefers higher elevations but can be grown in many elevations with the proper soil. It has some agricultural advantages. First, if there is enough water to get the crop established, it can be grown with very little water. It can generate seeds with up to 40 days of no rain. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in areas with a lot of sun. Second, early frost isn’t a problem. It’s planted late and autumn frost is actually necessary because it dries the seed, preparing it to be harvested.
Amaranth has quite a dramatic history. It was first cultivated about 6,000-8,000 years ago in South and Central America. It was a staple food for many pre-Columbian civilizations, such as the Aztecs. Amaranth was not just a food staple for the Aztecs, but it also played a big part in their worship. They built statues of their deity using amaranth grain and honey. These statues were worshipped, broken, and distributed for eating. This practice is the primary reason amaranth did not survive as a staple.
When the Spanish arrived with Cortez, as part of their efforts to force Christianity on the pagan natives, they outlawed the grain. Amaranth fields were burned and cultivators were punished. Lucky for us, they were unable to completely destroy the grain. In a few remote areas, small amounts of amaranth survived.
For awhile it was primarily used to make a traditional sweet called alegria which was mady by popping the amaranth and combining it with some kind of sticky sweetener like honey or sugar and molasses.
Fortunately for us, this historic grain flew under the radar until the 1970s when it was introduced into the United States. An article by the George Mateljan Foundation explained the discovery this way, “Amaranth has always had a place near and dear to my heart. Years ago, I heard about amaranth, the grain that had once been a staple in the diets of pre-Columbian Aztecs. I had learned that with the arrival of Cortez and the Spanish conquistadors, all crops of amaranth were burned, its use was forbidden, and its possession was cause for severe punishment. I set out to find this ‘lost’ grain, to hopefully discover this treasure that lay at the heart of this incredibly powerful people. After 300 years of it being in obscurity, I rediscovered amaranth in Mexico where I was honored to share it on ceremonial days with the descendants of the Aztecs, who believed that amaranth provided them with supernatural power. Therefore, it is not surprising to me when people say they are not familiar with amaranth as it was only in the 1970s that I reintroduced this ancient grain to the United States.”
And we are thankful for that! Today, amaranth is grown in a few locations in the United States, and we are able to enjoy this nutritious grain despite its rough past!
I would love to know the source of this amaranth story. I have been looking through old accounts by Sahagun and others and cannot find anywhere that actually states that amaranth was outlawed and crops were burned. Where did you find this information?
Hi Susannah, thank you for your question. It’s been so long since I wrote this and I don’t have the laptop that had my original notes, so I don’t remember exactly where I first read that, but here are some articles that discuss it:
http://thecarrotrevolution.com/history-of-amaranth/
https://fourstringfarm.com/2014/06/24/the-blood-soaked-grain-of-the-aztecs/
https://newworlder.substack.com/p/the-story-of-amaranth-in-the-americas
Amaranth is a sanskrit name. The meaning is same as mentioned for greek etymology. But it’s a sanskrit name. in india there is even a pilgrimage with the same name. we use this as a vegetable as well as a grains are used during fast.
Great information. Allow me to add something else. When Spanish conquistadores arrived in Mexico, their horses had no food, it was consumed during the crossing of Atlantic Ocean, horses – by themselves, found food and guess what??…. It was AMARANTH!!!!
Great info, a friend recently gave me some Aztec seed out here in AZ, i just planted it.
What are the cooking instructions for the Aramath?
Hi Jane, I recommend 3 cups of water to 1 cup of Amaranth. Bring it to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer until the water is absorbed.
Thank you
I tried a bowl with butter and brown sugar. It was delicious.
This story of Amaranth has moved me to tears.
I am deeply inspired by this story, and would
love to know more of it’s history, and who
and where it is being grown in the U.S.A.
What an Inspiring story, very powerful.
Thank you so very very much for this
information. Duane Hawe, Paradise, Ca.
Thanks for share your knoledge.