Amaranthus hybridus (65 days to flower, 125 days to seed) Open-pollinated. The grain of the gods from Opopeo, Mexico. Amaranth was one of the Aztecs’ five principal crops. They ground puffed seeds into flour and prepared sauces with the leaves. Amaranth grain has 14–16% protein. Used as a green until flower-set (~65 days). Tom Vigue sows thickly after frost danger, enjoying the bronze-green leaves from 4–6" and the top leaves until the plant reaches 2'. Vigue says, “Never stringy, always tender …a lot more massive than spinach,” to which it tastes similar when cooked. Not great raw. Thin to grow grain, as huge plants require 2' spacing, or start as transplants to increase chances of beginning your seed harvest before heavy autumnal rains. Opopeo’s magenta-purple stems grow 4–8' topped by 2' deep burgundy flower spikes each laden with 4–8 oz of seed grain. Grain matures from early to mid October in Maine. Cut and hang the heads to dry inside rather than field-curing in wet autumns. Wait until grain is crumbly dry and then rub against a mesh screen to thresh. Boil 2 parts water to 1 part grain for a high-protein gluten-free cereal or mix with pumpkin meal, vegetables and herbs, allow to harden, and slice into fryable patties. Multi-branched plants prone to lodging in loose soils. About 1250 seeds/g. ①BACK!
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This item is certified organic
4300
Opopeo Amaranth
- Organic
Additional Information
Grains
Our grains selections are rare heirloom varieties especially chosen for small-scale production. Revived interest in food security and sovereignty inspires us to seek edible and heirloom grains. In the early 1800s Maine was the breadbasket of the U.S. Wheat and rice do not demand huge space and can be threshed with a little ingenuity. With good fertility, proper spacing and reasonable diligence, it is quite possible to harvest 10 lb of heirloom wheat from 100 plants in a 10x10' plot. A 100' row of rice can yield 6–10 lb.
Larger-scale growers and farmers, those seeking larger quantities of more mainstream varieties, or those looking for cover crops should check out the Organic Growers Supply list of Farm Seed.
Most of of our grains are also decorative in both form and color, making great accents to bouquets and wreaths. For more ornamental grains, see amaranths, ornamental millets and sorghum & broom corn.
Amaranth
Amaranth was one of the Aztecs’ five principal crops. They ground puffed seeds into flour and prepared sauces with the leaves. The leaves have three times more vitamin C, ten times more carotene, fifteen times more iron and forty times more calcium than tomatoes, and three times more vitamin C, calcium and niacin than spinach leaves.
This item is certified organic