Verde Amaranth, Ancient New World Grain, Heirloom

Amaranth has a history as rich and dramatic as the grain itself.

• The Golden Grain of the Aztecs: For the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, amaranth was more than food—it was sacred. It was used in religious ceremonies and was a primary source of protein for their warriors.
• The Forbidden Crop: When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they banned the cultivation of amaranth because of its spiritual significance. Fortunately, the seeds were kept alive in remote mountain villages, preserved by indigenous farmers for centuries until its "rediscovery" by the modern world.
• A Global Traveler: The "Verde" (Green) variety has been selected over generations for its massive seed production and its tender, spinach-like greens, making it a staple in tropical and temperate gardens alike.

Verde Amaranth's Value in the Kitchen is Immense

• The Greens: Harvest the young leaves throughout the summer. Known as "Callaloo" in the Caribbean, they taste like a nuttier, heartier version of spinach. Unlike spinach, amaranth thrives in the sweltering heat of July and August.
• The Grain: Once the large green plumes dry, they yield thousands of tiny, cream-colored seeds. These "pseudo-grains" are gluten-free, exceptionally high in protein, and can be popped like tiny popcorn or cooked into a nutritious porridge.
• The Microgreen: Verde is a favorite for indoor growers, producing crisp, mild-flavored microgreens in just 10 days.

Verde Amaranth is a showstopper. It grows rapidly and produces massive, heavy seed heads that attract pollinators during the summer and songbirds in the autumn.

Garden Bed Coverage: One packet from Firefly Farm & Mercantile is designed to perfectly seed a 20 square foot bed (roughly an 8' to 10' long by 2.5' wide garden bed).

"Verde Amaranth is the ultimate 'prepper' plant. It is drought-tolerant, handles poor soil like a champion, and produces an incredible amount of food from a tiny footprint. We love the way the brilliant green plumes catch the late afternoon sun—it brings a lush, tropical feel to the temperate garden."

• Sowing: Amaranth seeds are tiny! For your 20 sq. ft. bed, mix the seeds with a little bit of dry sand to ensure even distribution. Broadcast over the surface and barely cover with 1/8 inch of soil.
• Thinning: Once the plants are 4 inches tall, thin them so they are about 12 inches apart. In a 2.5' wide bed, you can plant two staggered rows.
• Harvesting Grain: Wait until the seed heads feel "crispy" and the seeds fall out easily when rubbed. A simple trick is to bend the head into a 5-gallon bucket and shake—the harvest is that easy!