Amaranthus caudatus
From eagle-rock.org
Chunks of information
- The longest flower coil in the photo is almost one meter long.
This plant came from a seed mix of 'red and pink flowers.' I did not know what it was at first. It's an interesting plant that is also known as 'kiwicha.' It had been grown for thousands of years by the Incas. The seeds are very high in protein. It is grown for its seeds in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and in the Himalaya. [1] [2]
- "Kiwicha's grains are scarcely bigger than poppy seeds. However, they occur in huge numbers—sometimes more than 100,000 to a plant. Like other amaranth grains, they are flavorful and, when heated, they pop to produce a crunchy white product that tastes like a nutty popcorn. Light and crisp, it is delicious as a snack, as a cold cereal with milk and honey, as a “breading” on chicken or fish, or in sweets with a whisper of honey. The grain is also ground into flour, rolled into flakes, “puffed,” or boiled for porridge. Because of its high nutritional value, it is considered especially good for children, invalids, and the elderly.
These seeds are one of the most nutritious foods grown. Not only are they richer in protein than the major cereals, but the amino acid balance of their protein comes closer to nutritional perfection for the human diet than that in normal cereal grains. Five hundred years ago kiwicha helped feed the Incas. After the conquest it was nearly forgotten." - [3]
See also
External links
- 8 Health Benefits of Amaranth
- Amaranth Wikipedia
- Amaranthus caudatus Wikipedia
- Amaranthus cruentus Wikipedia
