( Thanks to the Botanical Society of Goa and Miguel Braganza. eric ) Aztec Amaranth: Beautifully Nutritious Anyone who speaks Tambddi English knows about Tambddi baji or Amaranthus blitum. There is another “Red” connection to it: the ‘Red Indians’ and the Aztecs knew the relatives of the Tambddi baji that also yielded a pseudo cereal or ‘Grain Amaranth’ that was prized for its protein value. Maybe it is time for amaranth to get more attention. Grain Amaranth has a colorful history, is highly nutritious, and the plant itself is extremely attractive and useful. Amaranth was a staple in the diets of pre-Columbus Aztecs, who believed it had supernatural powers and incorporated it into their religious ceremonies. Before the Spanish conquest in 1519 A.D., amaranth was associated with human sacrifice and the Aztec women made a mixture of ground amaranth seed, honey or human blood then shaped this mixture into idols that were eaten ceremoniously. This practice appalled the conquistadors, who reasoned that eliminating the amaranth would also eliminate the sacrifices. The grain was forbidden by the Spanish, and consequently fell into obscurity for hundreds of years. If not for the fact that the cultivation of amaranth continued in a few remote areas of the Andes and Mexico, it may have become extinct and completely lost to us. [For details visit http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/48-6script_en.asp]. In an era when molecular biologists and genetic engineers are tying to increase the protein content of unpolished rice from 6.8 percent to 10 percent, here is a cereal that already has 16.5 percent protein, which includes 301 mg of the all-important amino acid Lysine to just 230 mg in rice and 170 mg in wheat. In terms of calories for the health conscious, Grain Amaranth has 364 calories compared to 345 calories of rice and wheat. For the children who are “cutting teeth”, adolescents growing in wisdom with their ‘wisdom teeth’ or women preparing for menopause, the value of 223 mg Calcium per 100 g. of grain in Amaranth is like a bonus compared to just 10mg. in rice and 41mg in wheat. It is nutritious and it is beautiful to look at. These are good enough reasons to think about growing amaranth even in a home garden. The Grain Amaranth plant looks like the Tambddi Baji plant but has longer, bright red or green ear-heads that hold thousands of tiny seeds. These seed-containing ear-heads look similar to grain sorghum. Amaranth seeds contain a lot of protein - more protein than other grains such as wheat, maize, rice or sorghum. According to nutritionist say that the protein in amaranth is even better than the protein in cow's milk. Amaranth grows well in most climates. It is especially good for dry regions, monsoon areas, and for tropical highlands. It can be grown in the abandoned rice and ragi or nachini fields on the hill-slopes of Goa. One of the reasons amaranth does well in poor, unfertile soils is because it has deep roots which can reach water and nutrients deep down in the soil. It helps bind the soil and prevent siltation of rivulets, the major cause of flooding in Goa. There is another benefit to be happy about: amaranth has very few pest or disease problems and does not need pesticides. So one does not need factories like the ones that caused the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy, of which we marked the 25th anniversary on 03 December this year. To grow amaranth, mix the seeds with sand. Now pour the mixture of sand, wood ash and seeds into a very shallow V shaped furrow in the soil. After a few weeks when the plant has several leaves, thin them so they are 10 to 15 cm apart. Ten centimetres is about the length of your longest finger, and the span between the extended thumb and the fore-finger is about 15 cm. or six inches. Winter planting for Spring or summer harvest is best. You can harvest amaranth about 4 to 5 months after planting. You will know the grain is ready to harvest when you see a few seeds drop. Till then the ear-heads are a sight to see.
