In an endeavour to follow Hippocrates’ quote, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, people are focusing more on healthy and nutritious foods. This had led to the growth of the market for super foods like quinoa, amaranth, broccoli etc.
Amongst all the so-called super foods, Amaranth and Quinoa have been heating up the battleground in a fight for superiority in the nutrition world. Amaranth and quinoa share many similarities related to their origin, history, nutrients and growing conditions. Both natives of South America, Amaranth made its way to India hundreds of years ago and is widely cultivated today in the country. These seeds or pseudocereals are quality protein, gluten free and rich in minerals. At the same time, there still remain certain significant differences that make Amaranth slightly more potent than quinoa.
- While both provide double the protein present in brown rice, oats and whole wheat, Amaranth contains slightly more protein than quinoa.
- Amaranth has two times more Iron than quinoa.
- One cup of amaranth contains 22 percent of your RDA of vitamin B-6, compared to 18 percent from quinoa.
- Amaranth is richer in fibre and phytosterols than quinoa.
- Some would say Amaranth has a better taste than quinoa with its mild sweetness vs Quinoa’s slight bitterness.
- Amaranth is far more versatile than quinoa as many parts of the plant can be used. Its seeds are ground into flour and used in breads and chapattis. What’s more even its leaves are packed with nutrition and are widely used across the sub-continent.
- Finally, Amaranth is more pocket and environment-friendly than quinoa for Indians. Much easier to grow in India than Quinoa, Amaranth grows ubiquitously in the country from the Himalayas to the South giving us an opportunity to support Indian farmers growing this crop.
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself some Amaranth today – it is good for you, good for farmers and good for the environment.
Buy here to get your dose of good health and nutrition!
Crop Connect Chronicles 