Amaranth has been cultivated as a grain for 8,000 years, dating back to the Maya culture of South and Central America. ^[1] The yield of grain amaranth is comparable to rice or maize. It was a staple food of the Aztecs, and was used as an integral part of Aztec religious ceremonies. Its cultivation was banned by the conquistadores in 1516. Because the plant has continued to grow as a weed since that time, its genetic base has been largely maintained. Research on grain amaranth began in the US in the 1970s. By the end of the 1970s, a few thousand acres were being cultivated.^[2] Much of the grain currently grown is sold in health food shops. Species See text. ... // Events c. ... The word Maya or maya can refer to: The Maya – a Native American people of southern Mexico and northern Central America the modern Maya people the pre-Columbian Maya civilization the Maya language Maya – a concept in Hindu/Vedic philosophy a state of misperception of reality the inherent force of... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Map of Central America Central America is a central region of the Americas. ... Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Rice refers to two species (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima) of grass, native to tropical and subtropical southeastern Asia and to Africa, which together provide more than one fifth of the calories consumed by humans[1]. Rice is an annual plant, growing to 1-1. ... Binomial name Zea mays L. Maize (Zea mays ssp. ... A staple food is a basic but nutritious food that forms the basis of a traditional diet, particularly that of the poor. ... The Aztecs were a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. ... The Aztecs were a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. ... Tillage (American English), or cultivation (UK) is the agricultural preparation of the soil to receive seeds. ... Conquistador (meaning Conqueror in the Spanish language) is the term used to refer to the soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under Spanish rule between the 15th and 17th centuries. ... // Events March - With the death of Ferdinand II of Aragon, his grandson Charles of Ghent becomes King of Spain as Carlos I. July - Selim I of the Ottoman Empire declares war on the Mameluks and invades Syria. ... A weed is an unwanted plant. ... Genetics (from the Greek genno γεννώ= give birth) is the science of genes, heredity, and the variation of organisms. ... Motto: (1789 to 1956) (Latin for Out of many, one) In God We Trust (1956 to present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... Healthful eating is the act of following a balanced nutritional diet. ...

Grain amaranth is also grown as a food crop in limited amounts in Mexico, where it is used to make a candy called alegria (Spanish for "happiness") at festival times. The grains are popped, and mixed with honey. Jellied candies Candy is often used as a synonym for the more traditional term confectionery in North America, whereas the word has become archaic in most parts of the United Kingdom and survives today almost exclusively in the term candy floss. In some areas, notably Scotland, candy is generally taken... The 2006 Sinulog festival in the Philippines Renaissance festival A festival or fest is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some theme, sometimes on some unique aspect of the community. ...

Nutritional analysis

Amaranth grain (left) and wheat (right)

As the following table shows, grain amaranth is particularly nutritious.

^[3] Moisture generally refers to the presence of water in trace amounts. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Carbohydrates (literally hydrates of carbon) are chemical compounds that act as the primary biological means of storing or consuming energy, other forms being fat and protein. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... A calorie refers to a unit of energy. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... Riboflavin (E101), also known as vitamin B2 or vitamin G, is an easily absorbed, water-soluble micronutrient with a key role in maintaining human health. ... Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH, NAD, NAD+, and NADP play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. ... This article deals with the molecular aspects of ascorbic acid. ... Thiamine mononitrate Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is a colorless compound with chemical formula C12H17ClN4OS. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. ... One of the components in the proximate analysis of biological materials, consisting mainly of carbonates and bicarbonates of metals. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ...

Notable nutritional attributes of amaranth grain include:

• The protein, which is of an unusually high quality, according to ECHO.^[1]

• A ¼ cup of amaranth flour supplies 60% of the RDA of iron. ^[4]

• Amaranth grain is free of gluten, which is important for people with gluten allergies.

A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... RDA may refer to: RDA, Raj Dumbledores Arena - The Harry Potter Site on http://www. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Atomic mass 55. ... Wheat - a prime source of gluten Gluten is an amorphous ergastic protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^a b Amaranth: Grain & Vegetable Types (pdf), G. Kelly O'Brien and Martin L. Price, ECHO Technical Note. Published 1983
2. ^ Grain Amaranth: A Lost Crop of the Incas, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute
3. ^ Amaranth: from the Past, for the Future, J.N. Cole, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA (1979)
4. ^ Amaranth Flour, American Health & Nutrition