Amaranth

Information Profile
  
  • Amaranthus is the genus for the pigweed family. Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth or pigweed, is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are presently recognised, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia.
  • Three types of pigweed - redroot, green and smooth - are common in southern Ontario, and are all often referred to as "redroot pigweed". They are similar in appearance and difficult to distinguish before the flowering stage. In areas where their distributions overlap, it is not uncommon to find all three species growing together in the same field.
  • The name amaranth hails from the Greek for "never-fading flower." The plant is an annual herb, not a "true" grain and is a relative of pigweed, a common wild plant also known as lamb’s-quarters, as well as the garden plant we know as Cockscomb. 
  • Amaranth is considered native to South and Central America, but over 400 varieties are found throughout the world in both temperate and tropical climates. Vegetable amaranth has been used in China for 400 years, and is commonly found in the Caribbean and Africa. At present amaranth is grown in the USA, South America, India, China and Russia. The Czech Republic is the most important grower in Europe (approx. 250 hectares).
  • Amaranth was used in several Aztec ceremonies, where images of their gods were made with amaranth mixed with honey. The images were cut to be eaten by the people. This looked like the Christian communion to the Roman Catholic priests, so the cultivation of the grain was forbidden for centuries.
  • Amaranth can be cooked as a cereal, ground into flour, popped like popcorn, sprouted, or toasted. The seeds can be cooked with other whole grains, added to stir-fry or to soups and stews as a nutrient dense thickening agent. Amaranth flour is used in making pastas and baked goods. It must be mixed with other flours for baking yeast breads, as it contains no gluten.
  • The amaranth seeds have a unique quality in that the nutrients are concentrated in a natural "nutrient ring" that surrounds the center, which is the starch section. For this reason the nutrients are protected during processing. The amaranth leaf is nutritious as well containing higher calcium, iron, and phosphorus levels than spinach.
General Information
  • Amaranth Basic Information
  • Amaranthus Info
  • Amaranth: a Healthy Grain for Vegetarian Recipes
  • Amaranth History
  • Amaranth Nutrition Information
  • Pigweeds in Tennessee
  • Amaranthus spp
  • Amaranth: Grain & Vegetable Types
  • Amaranth Seed Information

Growth and Cultivation

  • Growing Amaranth and Quinoa
  • Cultivation and Manuring
  • Pigweed Distribution
  • Growing Annuals
  • Growing Method
  • Amaranth Cultivation and Utilisation in Lithuania

Production and Management

  • Amaranth Production
  • Influences of N Fertilizers on the Vegetable Amaranth Production 
  • Management Methods for Producing Vegetable Amaranth
  • Amaranth Production in Mexico and Peru
  • Growing Grain Amaranth as a Specialty Crop
  • Pest Management
  • Pigweed Description, History and Management

Functions 

  • Effect of Feeding Amaranth on Growth Efficiency and Health of Market Pigs
  • Isolation of Amaranthus DNA Suitable for Fingerprint Analysis 
  • Properties of Amaranthus spinosus Pollen 
  • Evaluation of Six Amaranth Varieties

Consultants and  Contacts

  • List of Consultants
  • Academic Frontier Research Project
  • Healthy food for pregnant women

Material Safety Data Sheet

  • Amaranthus retroflexus Species Information
  • Amaranth
  • Sciencelab Amaranth Data sheet
  • Amaranthus hypochondraicus
  • GFS Chemicals Data Sheet
  • Amaranth Lake
  • Vinayak Corporation Data sheet
  • Safety Data for Amaranth
  • Sigma-Aldrich Data Sheet

Amaranth products & Uses

  • Grain Products
  • Amaranth Illuminating Complex Cream
  • Amaranth Grain
  • Health Benefits Of Amaranth Seeds
  • Food and Medicinal Uses
  • Applications of a Rediscovered Food Crop
  • Amaranth Grain Applications
  • Use of the Leaf and Grain
  • Amaranth oil application for coronary heart disease and hypertension

Patent

  • Therapeutic Dietary Composition Containing Amaranth
  • Carbohydrate cream substitute
  • Method for Improving the Agronomic and Nutritional Value of  Plants
  • Apparatus and Process for Expanding Raw Amaranth

Market 

  • Market Opportunities for Grain Amaranth
  • Amaranth: New Crop Opportunity
  • Amaranth returns 55%-60% of remaining assets
  • Modern Market Rediscovers Ancient Grains
  • Alternative Crops in Double-Crop Systems for Missouri
  • Grain Amaranth
  • Alternative Crops in Nevada

Report

  • Cost-Return Budget
  • High yielding Amaranthus with green leaves
  • Vegetable amaranth improvement for South Africa
  • Initial/ Draft Assessment Report
  • Alternative grains with higher fiber and protein move into the mainstream

Suppliers and Buyers

  • Acid Amaranth Red
  • Dharani Export
  • Amaranth Suppliers
  • Exporters of Amaranth
  • Amaranth Mumbai Suppliers
  • Amaranth Suppliers
  • Tanya Exports
  • Multi-Kem imports
  • Amaranth Buyers List

Guides

  • Vegetable Amaranth Guide
  • Grain Amaranth- Alternative Crop Guide
  • Management Guide for Palmer Amaranth
  • Production Guide on Amaranth / Kulitis
  • Amaranth Grain Production Guide
  • Frequently Asked Questions