Wednesday, June 24, 2015

What is Amaranth?




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June 24, 2015

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AMARANTH    

 
Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth 
  90 days. Tall, 3'- 5' plants are covered with very long rope-like flowers that are a deep, brilliant red color.  
One of the most striking plants for any garden and so easy to grow. A good seed producer, too.  
This is a very old heirloom,  
a pre-1700 variety, that is very popular.  
Leaves are tasty as cooked greens.
Seeds can be cooked like quinoa.

Annual
 Sun: Full Sun 
Height: 36-60  inches
Sowing Method: Direct Sow/Indoor Sow 
Bloom Duration: 6  weeks

Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Tolerate: Drought
 

About Amaranth 
  1. Amaranth contains more protein than any other gluten-free grain- and more protein than wheat. One cup of raw amaranth contains 28.1 grams of protein. Oats are a close second with 26.3 grams of protein. In comparison, 1 cup of raw white rice contains 13.1 grams of protein.
     
  2. Amaranth is an excellent source of lysine, an important amino acid (protein). Grains are notorious for low lysine content, which decreases the quality of their proteins. The high lysine content in amaranth sets it apart from other grains.
     
  3. Another advantage of the protein content of amaranth is that the primary proteins in amaranth are "albumins" and "globulins". In comparison, the major proteins in wheat are called "prolamins", which are considered less soluble and less digestible than are albumins and globulin proteins.
     
  4. Amaranth is second only to teff in calcium content. 1 cup of raw teff contains 347 milligrams of calicum, amaranth 298 milligrams. In comparison, 1 cup of white rice contains 52 milligrams.
     
  5. Amaranth contains more magnesium than other gluten-free grains. 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 519 milligrams of magnesium, followed by buckwheat with 393 milligrams and sorghum with 365 milligrams. In comparison, an equal amount of white rice contains 46 milligrams of magnesium.
     
  6. Amaranth contains more iron than other gluten-free grains. 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 15 milligrams of iron. Teff is a close second with 14.7 milligrams of iron. In comparison, white rice contains 1.5 milligrams of iron.
     
  7. Amaranth contains more fiber than other gluten-free grains. 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 18 grams of fiber- buckwheat and millet contain 17 grams. In comparison, white rice contains 2.4 grams of fiber.
     
  8. Amaranth is slightly lower in carbohydrate content compared to other gluten-free grains. 1 cup of raw amaranth contains 129 grams of carbohyrates, white rice 148 grams, brown rice and sorghum 143 grams and teff 141 grams of carbohyrdates. Oats contain 103 grams of carbohyrates, making them the lowest carb gluten free grain. source

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