Amaranth: Grain of the Aztec Gods

Many food and herbal plants have been labeled, the Food of the Gods, but of the plant, Amaranth, this is an actual fact. Amaranth was regarded as supernatural by pre-Columbian Aztecs. Before the Spanish invasion of their lands, Aztec women would make a mixture of ground amaranth seed and honey or human blood from their religious practice of human sacrifice.

This mixture was then formed into small ceremonial idols and eaten during religious ceremonies. Of course, the Spanish conquistadores were culturally appalled at the practice and thought that if they stopped the use of amaranth, the human sacrifice would stop. Subsequently the grain was forbidden to be used and outlawed in all Spanish conquered lands.

Natives could have a hand chopped off for possessing grains of amaranth. The cultivation of amaranth on any large scale was basically elimated, but this plant grows easily and prodigiously in tropic climates and in remote areas of Mexico and South America the plant was still harvested and used.

This colorful history fits the beautiful colors of the Amaranth plant, which can be harvested for its leaves which are eaten like spinach, or it's seeds, which are dried and used like all grains. However, the plant is not a true cereal plant, but rather a fruit and it belongs to the same family (chenopodium) as the edible weed, lamb's quarter.

In hybrid forms, the amaranth plant is also grown for it's small globe like flowers, but this plant is not to be confused with the edible variety, although eating the other wouldn't harm you.

The seeds look like sesame seeds, have a pleasant, nutty flavor and can even be popped like popcorn or steamed and flattened into a flake like rice, or ground into flour. There is no gluten in amaranth so it doesn't rise in bread, but can be made into delicious nutty like tortilla's flatbreads.

Amaranth seeds have been described by Robert Rodale, publisher of Prevention and Organice Gardening magazines, as "the perfect protein food of the past for meals of the future." He first introduced this food into our country in the early 70's , believing it to be a crop with potential for feeding the world.

It has gained steady support and is now grown in several states and is readily available at natural food stores and even in some supermarkets. I can find it in my local Meijer's Supermarket here in Indiana in the specialty grain aisle, but I generally buy it at Whole Foods in Carmel, Indiana.

Amaranth is valued not only for its ease of cultivation and harvesting, but for it's outstanding nutritional value, as Mr. Rodale discovered. You can check out the exact nutrient values at Walton Feed.

Amaranth seed is high in protein with two essential amino acids, lysine and methionine that are not often found in other grains. The fiber content of amaranth is three times that of wheat, with an iron content of five times more than wheat, as well as two more times calcium than milk. Amaranth has been proven to contain a form of vitamin E (tocotrienol) which has cholesterol lowering capabilities.

Amaranth seed is high in protein (15-18%) and contains respectable amounts of lysine and methionine, two essential amino acids that are not frequently found in grains. It is high in fiber and contains calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C.

Amaranth can be used in various forms within a diet and some good amaranth recipes can be found here.

I can vouch for the banana bread recipe, as I've baked it for my best friend's daughter on regular occasions, due to her needing a gluten free diet. The High Protein Granola recipe on the recipe site is the one I make and use on a regular basis.

There are other herbal uses for amaranth including brewing the seeds for five minutes to make a herbal tea. I have never used amaranth tea, so can not vouch for it's curative powers. Claims for those include curing a sour throat, acne skin wash, enema and astringent powers for skin problems and sores. But then, many herbal plants make those same claims.

I am of the firm belief that a healthy diet can cure many of those ailments by empowering your own natural immune system to be strong and active. Amaranth appears by all available research and by it's historic roots to be a valuable plant with good potential for providing nutrition in our world.

Resources

History of Amaranth

Nutritional value of amaranth

Amaranth recipes

Cooking with amaranth