Organic Amaranth Grain, 5 Pounds - Whole Seeds, Non-GMO, Kosher, Vegan, Bulk

Amaranth grain is extraordinary in every way, and the overall total of its benefits is a definite proof of that. In fact, it’s considered one of the healthiest food options for the daily wholegrain servings due to all the vitamins and minerals contained within tiny seeds.

Every cup of cooked seeds contains 5 grams of dietary fiber. This amounts to almost 20% of the recommended daily dose for adult women and 15% for adult men. You get all that, along with a boost of various essential nutrients, but with a very small amount of fats.


Amaranth Nutrition Profile

Amaranth is a nutritional powerhouse among grains. Every cup of cooked cereal provides you with quite significant amounts of:

• Manganese
• Calcium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Phosphorus

The grain is also exceptionally rich in various B vitamins.

A plate full of cooked amaranth seeds and veggies makes for an extremely energizing meal. The good news is that calories in this grain come from vitamins and minerals instead of fats. This allows including amaranth in any weight management meal plan.


Amaranth Vs. Quinoa: The Healthiest Grain

Amaranth seeds are often compared to quinoa, which is a more popular ‘superfood’ among grains that has recently made its way on the US market. The majority of Americans are now well aware of the health benefits of quinoa seeds and especially their dietary value. However, many are still wary of amaranth as its benefits have yet to be as well-publicized.

The truth of the matter is that amaranth seeds are very similar to quinoa. Both these ‘grains that aren’t really grains’ are highly nutritious, rich in fiber and proteins, and low on fats. Their main ‘superfood’ values are almost equal, but if one digs for the exact nutrient count, amaranth comes up on top.

This pseudo-grain contains just a tiny bit more proteins. This difference might be only one gram, but it does count for strict diets, for example those of bodybuilders. Amaranth also has higher contents of iron and vitamin B6, but a lower content of thiamin.


Amaranth in a Gluten-Free Diet

As amaranth isn’t technically a grain, it’s 100% gluten-free, same as buckwheat and quinoa. You don’t have to worry about this cereal irritating your bowels with this pesky chemical. However, you must understand that if it’s processed at the same facility as other grains, a risk of cross-contamination exists.

If you are a vegan or athlete who needs to increase their protein intake from low-fat plant foods, amaranth would be the perfect grain for you. First of all, it contains twice as many proteins as the majority of other grains, even brown rice, which is considered one of the healthiest foods for bodybuilders.

Secondly, proteins in amaranth seeds are easy for the body to process. Some high-protein foods may not give you as many benefits as amaranth because your body wouldn’t be able to use all the amino acids they contain.

Most importantly, amaranth grain is packed with lysine, an essential protein (amino acid) similar to the proteins in milk. It’s one of the reasons why this grain is such a good food for vegans.


Many Uses of Amaranth

Amaranth seeds are used in a great many ways, and not only to make great cereal you can enjoy on its own or added to salads, stews, and stir-fries. Amaranth flour is getting more popular today as many people seek gluten-free alternatives for baking. You can either find or make your own amaranth bread, cookies, and crackers.

Amaranth oil has a great number of commercial uses due to its unique ability to stabilize temperatures. It’ll be right at home in any kitchen but it’s also included in a variety of cosmetic products, pharmaceutical drugs, aromatic products, and lubricants. The oil’s taste is rather mild, which allows using it as a healthier replacement to sunflower oil.


How to Cook Amaranth Fast

Amaranth is a very easy grain to cook. It doesn’t require extensive prior soaking, although let it stay in the water prior to putting it in a pot will reduce the overall cooking time. The easiest way to make amaranth cereal is to put the seeds in a pan and add 2 ½ cups of water per every cup of grain. Bring to a boil and let simmer at low heat in a tightly closed pan for about 30 minutes.

Amaranth cereal is considered cooked when all the water in the pan has been absorbed. However, you can make it porridge-like by adding more water from the start so that it would be more liquid once cooked. You can flavor it however you like with sugar, salt, or spices and make a great nutritious breakfast out of it. Amaranth tastes quite good with both fruits and veggies, so you can use it for sweet and savory recipes.

You can also enjoy ‘popped’ amaranth as a snack. To make it, you’ll have to toast the seeds in a skillet. Don’t use any heat and keep the heat turned up to the max. Add amaranth seeds by a spoonful and stir constantly to prevent burning. This snack is ready once the seeds ‘pop’, similar to corn.


Vegan Dinner Amaranth Recipes: Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 cup amaranth (uncooked)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup leeks (sliced)
• ½ cup green bell peppers (sliced)
• ½ cup mushrooms (sliced)
• ½ cup scallions (sliced)
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds (roasted)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Start with rinsing amaranth as you would any other grain. Drain and dry toast the seeds in a skillet for about 5 minutes. Stir constantly.
2. Add 3 cups of water to the skillet and a tiny bit of salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and let simmer. If available, put a heat diffuser under the skillet.
4. Simmer for 30-35 minutes (the grain is ready when all water is absorbed).
5. At the meantime, heat up oil in a pan and sautee the leeks until soft.
6. Add peppers and mushrooms, cooking for about 10 minutes at medium heat. Be sure to add a tiny bit of soy sauce and about a tablespoon of water.
7. Put cooked amaranth over the veggies and cover the pan. Let the grains heat through.
8. Garnish with scallions and pumpkin seeds and serve hot.

As no stir fry’s recipe is set in stone, you can change the ingredients to your favorite mix of veggies. You can also add a layer of wholewheat breadcrumbs between the vegetables and amaranth if you aren’t on a gluten-free diet.


Amaranth Seeds: Storage and Shelf Life

As amaranth is as close to a grain as one gets, its storage requirements are the same. This means that you have to keep the seeds dry and preferably in a cool place. Just like any other grain, amaranth’s shelf life is nearly infinite as long as it’s not ruined by humidity and subsequent mold.

The seeds have very little fats, but they do contain some, which means there is a small risk of them going rancid. To prevent this, you should store your amaranth in a cool pantry or fridge.

Due to extremely long shelf life and ease of storage, you can buy amaranth in bulk. This way, you’ll be sure there is always some healthy, gluten-free grain in the house. With proper equipment, you can even make your own amaranth flour and meal.

Bear in mind that those would need to be stored in airtight containers as well and their shelf life is usually shorter than that of whole seeds. This means that it’s best to grind small portions of amaranth grain at a time and use the meal right away.