Using Mexico’s Most Ancient Grain: Amaranth

Amaranth, an edible plant with quinoa-like seeds, has been growing in Mexico for nearly 5,000 years and provides those who eat it with nutrients like protein and amino acids. Despite its adaptability and versatility, many Mexicans overlook its distinct culinary potential.
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[@tigershark6373]

Once amaranth was the main food of the Slavic people, making bread out of it. Before the reforms of Peter the Great (300 years ago), the peasants and other workers were distinguished by excellent health and were long-livers. He forbid growing this plant and making bread out of it. Also was very healthy fermented amaranth. In old books amaranth is described as food of Slavs and Aztecs.

[@Becky_Cal]

Cool history. I didn’t know that. 💪

[@Swnsasy]

Wow.. Thanks for that lesson, love knowing things about history and cultures! Much appreciated

[@pankasr]

In india we call it raz_ga _raw

[@djangokill65]

This "Regreso al Origen" series is awesome! More please!!!

[@elenapelayo1]

Siii

[@nadanalia3000]

Mexico is such a blessed land. All those beautiful superfoods wow

[@davidcasillas6914]

10% of the world natural diversity can be found in my beloved México ..... greetings from a proud Mexican from the land of mariachis and tequila

[@sheezy2526]

@@davidcasillas6914 Get rid of those horrible cartels and it will be paradise on Earth

[@angryidahobusdriver]

@@sheezy2526 Mexico has very good natural springs. The countryside is true beauty.

[@rasraetc]

Yep. Decolonization. Indigenous food is the key. No sickness and more life. Ancestor vibes. Love to see and experience it

[@jjgrenwich264]

HAHAHA

[@Janon48]

I love this series. As a Mexican living in the US it makes me homesick and proud of my country

[@HSfox]

vegetables just taste soo much better when you grow them, instead of getting them at a supermarket. Vegetables in some place in Latin america just taste amazing

[@Swnsasy]

What does it taste like? Is it still something we can buy here in the States?

[@emiliosordo3765]

@@Swnsasy greetings, I'm not really sure about USA supermarkets but maybe in a Farmers Market you could find this kind of quality(?) I really hope you could try some of this foods :)

[@Swnsasy]

@@emiliosordo3765 Thank you so so much.. I'm in Florida, many from Mexico in my area and my FAVORITE family own a "Fresh Farmers Store", that's the name.. It's about 40mins from me but I haven't been yet since they moved more towards Tampa and I'm in Sarasota.. I'm going to call to ask them if they have.. You're so awesome, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 🌹❤️

[@lucio.martinez]

Same here, separated for 35+ years, most all my life. It's bitter-sweet for me, mix emotions, yet proud at the same time. For all that implicated being 2 in 1 person, coming to this country (for which I'm incredibly appreciative), living a dream, and missing out major roots and home. I say, I am not Mexican-American, as that implies having been born here of Mexican roots. I say I'm Mexican AND American, equality and proudly!

[@manmohanr7840]

I am from Uttarakhand, India. We grow amaranth in our fields too. We call it ‘Marsu’ in native Garhwali. People usually make amaranth sweet balls by adding jaggery. It’s pudding is also delicious.

[@slaplapdog]

Do you puff the amaranth when making sweet balls?

[@Realatmx]

@@slaplapdog we puff to make balls

[@user-lf2no6vy5l]

Ranikhet or almora

[@agudam]

India should start processing and selling Amaranth, which grows like a weed here. I'm sick of paying high prices for quinoa, and Amaranth seems like a good substitute for a protein source.

[@alvin7898]

Its our version of "spinach" in indonesia, but we didnt really knew that the seeds are edible. We normally eat the leaves and young stem.

[@karlacastillo6838]

Here in Mexico we make a candy called "alegría" it's the amaranth seeds with honey and nuts, so delicious

[@azrina1230]

Same in Malaysia.

[@DigiBlasta]

Anjay keren2 namanya amaranth di luar sini namanya bayem WKWW

[@john0094]

Same in india

[@littlecookingtips]

Same here in Greece!

[@eloymarquez4783]

No one has overlooked it, i have been eating amaranth since a child. Amaranto candies were in every piñata, and that was in Chihuahua, northern Mexico.

[@lucio.martinez]

Tú pues, sí, pero el pendejo de Sinfo. Jajaja My mom tells a story about this "missing a screw" Sinfo, en el rancho.

[@Jb-ky1ri]

What is a pinata?

[@eloymarquez4783]

@@Jb-ky1ri a stuff animal made of paper mache, filled with candies, used at children parties to entertain the kids

[@Jb-ky1ri]

@@eloymarquez4783 thanks

[@_JudgeDredd]

My homie is from there! He said he got out because he kept having to pay taxes just to operate his business. He’s the best car guy around! Hooked my Raptor up

[@vampirebo1]

loving this kind of content munchies! back from a long time of not watching y’all!!

[@Munchies]

Welcome back!

[@QuantumNoir]

Amaranth is a complete protein with all amino acids like meat for example! 🏋🏻‍♂️🇲🇽🇺🇸💪🏼

[@Wabi-sabi8551]

Precisely!

[@lucio.martinez]

Ok, good for this fine body, I've got! Hahaha

[@algernoncalydon3430]

Back in the eighties I learned about wild plants and amaranth was one of the "weeds" that people got rid of. Chia was another that grew all over. Now they are superfoods. Back then people were disgusted by eating "weeds."

[@kitten9208]

Yes, I was somehow surprise that this amaranth is called pig weed, and only use to feed cattle. Because its one of our main vegetable dish in Indonesia.

[@algernoncalydon3430]

@@kitten9208 I found out the hard way there is a different variety on the East Coast of the US. It has big sharp thorns, and if one grabs the bottom of the plants and pulls up to strip the leaves, OWWWWW.

[@lucio.martinez]

Probably the same ones that smoked it, hahaha

[@kitten9208]

We call it “bayam” in Indonesia, which is somehow translate into “spinach”. But our spinach is definitely the same plant as amaranth. We only use the leaves. Thank you vice, now I know that we can also harvest the seeds.

[@tiaan7032]

Amaranth grow as garden weeds here in Namibia, Africa. Seeds most likely came from importing produce etc & got into the wild. Most people here just remove them, but i keep them to grow because theyre beautiful.

[@fenrirgg]

You can eat the leaves too. Like spinach.

[@xemtubex]

Thank you Mexico

[@QuantumNoir]

Amaranth/Quinoa are complete plant proteins on par with meat, eggs, dairy! 🏋🏻‍♂️🇲🇽🇺🇸💪🏼

[@lsloan33]

Those are not the same thing

[@QuantumNoir]

@@lsloan33 I know. I could've put and instead of / but no biggie

[@lsloan33]

@@QuantumNoir it's cool. Just seemed to be implying they were the same. Similar textures, but definitely different plants.

[@jujugarcianyc]

@@lsloan33 a slash is effectively putting things in similarity but not saying they are the same. Original commenter was correct in their use of the slash

[@lsloan33]

@@jujugarcianyc whether they are being considered the same or similar is determined by context, of which there is none except for the "meat, dairy, eggs" portion of the sentence-which is structured differently though he's using them apparently in the same way (individual things that are somewhat different on the whole, used to express a broader category to which they all belong) as he is using the slash. This isn't technically wrong to do, but it is confusing and logically leads to interpretations like mine until clarified. So it can be read either way. Thanks for attempting to correct, but neither of us are technically wrong. I was merely pointing out to him in case he was saying they were the same. One of the other confusing things about using a slash here is that the plants, if one doesn't have much knowledge of them, could easily be mistaken as the same thing. I thought maybe he made that mistake. It's not the same as the statement: "basketball/pole vaulting/judo" to express a category containing olympic sports because those choices are so dissimilar (like his use of "meat, eggs, dairy" isn't confused for the same reason).

[@georgexabo5949]

Tears when he said future of the human race, right on thought brother, love you

[@patriciam4123]

If you put this on a hot dry pan it turns into Barbie sized popcorn. I don't remember any distinctive flavor but not bad

[@mitzisosa8254]

It doesn't have much of a flavor but maybe drizzling them with something on top could be tasty. When making Alegria they use honey to make them stick and other spices.

[@sUjU91]

It's really delicious, we even make traditional bars from it call alegrías, they are our version of a breakfast bar.

[@ivano2863]

I remember eating Alegrias as a kid in Mexico ( kinda like rice krispies but with amaranth). This series makes me really miss my home country 😞

[@joeyjr329]

Had some Bourbon made with this! It was an excellent pour!

[@dalentus5324]

Me encanta aprender más de toda la comida de origen Mexicano (:

[@lucio.martinez]

Está chingon! Viva México!!

[@luvmyjujuntootie]

I’m so glad this came up I bought it and have no clue what to do with it!

[@JoseMVelazquez]

It's very comon to find it in blocks (about 2x4") held together with honey, I'll have them over any protein bar! Just look up the recipe for alegrias.

[@kylealexander7024]

Ur supposed to dry the flowers and then smoke them I'm pretty sure

[@Fat_bastard77]

My ancient mexican ancestors knew whatsup

[@bobcharlie2337]

Yup! They sure did.

[@HSfox]

they got amazing protein, we get gmo meat hahaha

[@unusuario5173]

OGs

[@lucio.martinez]

@@HSfox Don't forget our endless refills of corn syrup. You go to the fountain dispenser and you a million choices of "nothing natural". Good ole tasty fake unsafe for your/my temple, the body! Es una pena/It's a shame!

[@michelbrandy261]

this amaranth.we cook the young leaves in our barrio.we love this with lentils.

[@lucio.martinez]

I'm still figuring out these lentil. All we ate was frijoles (pintos) and sometimes black frijoles.

[@carlosmante]

It is called in Mexican Spanish as Alegria (happiness) or Amaranto.

[@antoniusliem]

We call it bayam here in Indonesia. We usually eat its young leaf abd stems.

[@lucio.martinez]

I get behind this. I just hate it when my people come out with their "empacho" theory! That's all fake?!

[@dylanmydude]

It is popular here in South Africa as well here it's called marog and the leaves are eaten like spinach

[@kemac3331]

Love!!! That recipe looked so good. I just started growing amaranth and can’t wait til I can harvest it.

[@TheEydaos]

Bring us a series on Argentina, Kenya, Thailand, all over the world. Love this series! Love to see more!

[@pilbe007]

I’m often disappointed at the lack of vegetarian menu options at Mexican restaurants in the USA and even in Netflix taco documentaries based in Mexico. These restaurants/documentaries lack the depth of Mexican cooking and how varied, abundant, delicious, and nutritious Mexican crops are in the Mexican kitchen.

[@Becky_Cal]

Mexico City has amazing vegan and vegetarian options. If you ever travel there, try Por Siempre Vegano and Vegamo MX.

[@pilbe007]

@@Becky_Cal Thank you!

[@Toomuchbullshitt]

There’s a boat load of vegetarian/ some vegan options in Mexico. But the thing is that these dishes you’ll find most in Southern Mexico and are made by extremely poor indigenous people. In Mexico, a diet of fruits and vegetables is for the peasants. Idk why (some) Mexicans look down at indigenous groups as uneducated and inferior but the moment a white person walks into the room they put their heads down 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@AmatiFoods]

You should see what we produce in Ecuador with the amaranth! we have such so innovative and natural products based on amaranth!

[@jeepdriver7603]

Wow! Thank you! I know what I am adding to my garden next Spring!

[@evan8654]

Nice to see wholesome content from Vice.

[@Willi.am05]

You guys are making great videos lately, nice.

[@curlz4281]

this series is doing so much for me as a first gen mexican american! Makes me proud of my roots!

[@shrewdcritic83]

Estodo puro mexico💯🇲🇽

[@lucio.martinez]

Verdad, tú?! Mientras se escucha "El Son de la Negra"!

[@Becky_Cal]

Love this series! Keep it up 💪

[@identity.productions]

About time Amaranth gets its own spotlight!

[@beowolf19751]

I just discovered this wonderful grain and it is so delicious with honey and fruit!! It keeps me full and energized all day! GOD bless

[@xuancarloshdz]

Me encanta esta serie

[@jes7268]

Yes! I love it too!

[@jungsomewhat]

I’m in Sheffield England and have a pot full on the hob 3 boiling water 1 Araminth cover light boil 20mins great breakfast with banana and Oat milk vegan friendly buy it 25kg on line 👍🏻

[@eddiesanchez2293]

My family is from Oaxaca ❤

[@juliosandoval8244]

Hermoso mi Lindo mexico.mis respetos a nuestra gente trabajadora.viva mexicoo

[@MarkNetwork-on5wj]

Here in the Philippines we call it Kulitis we use it as greens in fish dishes like soup

[@lucio.martinez]

Wow, en serio? No sabía, no conocía de ésto! Me encanta que lo cosechen limpio (natural, orgánico). Benditos mis Mexas! Saludos Guerrerenses desde Florida

[@admintres5234]

behind my house are the Amaranto fields. Whenever I wake up, the view looks great "Milpa Alta" Ciudad de México 🇲🇽

[@celiacelisally]

Yessss love me the amaranth plant leaves aka quelites aka pigs weed aka lambs quarters aka wild spinach and it’s seeds!!!

[@marioromero3864]

Celebrating, remembering our true values, inclusiveness empowerment of those and that witch had been forgotten! Loved this!

[@AntonioCostaRealEstate]

Good series. Keep up. Has anyone that most of the people tending to these cultures are of Aztec descendency? They not only seen doing the grunt work in the USA , they are carrying the Mexican economy on their backs. All stereotypes aside, they are the ones who put out the work.

[@Lovelypao88]

I really love to eat Amaranto is one of my favorites, I'm from N.L.

[@Cirearyk]

Being Mexican and living there 5 years now in back in the states, I feel so homesick. I will definitely move back once my my priorities are straight.

[@BuDu-ms2qe]

making my amaranth rn!

[@adcart8907]

Amaranth Squalane Oil is really good for your skin also. A remarkable plant for food and medicine.

[@mygogomy4373]

Great video, love everyone in it, but I never found out how it tastes 😂!

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

I feel like I've *GRAINED* a lot from this!

[@SafetyBriefer]

Stop.

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

@@SafetyBriefer I know, it's like I'm a *stalker* with these grain puns!

[@marykladouris1794]

Tlazocahmati-Thank You- Muchisimas Gracias for sharing the sustenance of our existence...

[@danielmota1095]

Actually the Amaranth plant has many varieties all over world and different names.

[@ajhotmop]

The world would have no flavor if it wasn't for mexico.

[@angelrevelations]

Where can I get that book that comes out @ 5:28 Cocinemos con el Amaranto?

[@adanhernandez5196]

Whats the recipe that was cook in this episode? Looks super yummy 😋 would love to try and make this at home!! All I find is sweet recipes online when I try to find something 😂

[@mrhitdathoe]

chida la serie

[@GatileoGatilei]

La neta nada quita el hambre en la madrugada mejor que una barra de amaranto con miel nueces y pasas

[@RoseNZieg]

I'm craving some fried amaranth greens!!

[@BuckingHorse-Bull]

more like this

[@angelolivares8754]

Amaranth is a badass source of protein all vegans and vegetarians should try it. And it's also delicious and cheap!!! You can bake with it too

[@dannyaldama5228]

I remember seeing a elderly man grabbing plants, he grabbed this sacred herb. Indigenous to the land, AHO.

[@sabarca714]

Amaranth is tasty and delicious. 😋

[@lucio.martinez]

De los locos está hecho el mundo!! Órale, ya me siento mejor, jajaja

[@m.taylor]

It is delicious but when I rinse it, the tiny amaranth seeds stick to the sieve and are difficult to remove. Is it necessary to wash amaranth before cooking it?

[@KeroScenePlus]

an edible joint, nice.

[@mborges2133]

Video bien chingon!

[@truetigertrue]

Are you still using the leaves ?

[@MSanz-jc2bg]

Please do Chocolate and Vanilla.

[@kcx5817]

Great!!

[@senorital.5806]

Ya estubo que lo exportaran a grandes cantidades y su precio se ACRECENTARA EN MEXICO COMO PASA CON EL AGUACATE . 😒😒

[@arthorim]

No amiga el amaranto crece en todo el mundo, y todo el mundo lo consume diferente. Yo vivo en canada y aqui crece salvaje so lo vas y lo cortas, yo hago huazontle capeado con lo que corto en el campo.

[@Naheda07]

This plant is utilized in curry dishes in Bangladesh.

[@BIacklce]

Viking Metal bands just need to start naming themselves after grains

[@j.g.3293]

Anybody know if these amaranth farmers have a website?

[@j.g.3293]

I will not give Bezos my money

[@dudeitsme0690ify]

Were can I get some of that

[@SaloneDutchess]

We call this green in sierra leone. We eat the young leaves

[@curibe317]

do you eat the seeds? I've also heard there is cactus in sierra leone you should try it sometime it's also delicious

[@SaloneDutchess]

@@curibe317 no we eat the leaves

[@IDPYouTube]

You managed to make a video about a lesser known food without describing its aroma, flavour or texture.

[@mommyingBetchay]

I was given Amaranth by a friend that’s why I stumbled upon this. I am very curios to try this superfood. Being Filipino, I want to think of how I can cook it with our own way of cooking. I’m thnking of using it together with sticky rice to make arroz caldo (chicken congee with ginger) and our native suman (steamed sticky rice in banana leaf). Any of you guys think this might work?

[@satishkumarkandala]

In south india , we use the tender amaranthus plants,both red and white varieties stems and leaves all of it chopped and used to make curries> I didnt know that grain can also be used

[@user-fz4ts6fv6o]

The grain is called rajgira and is quite popular in Maharashtra .Chikki and roti/ puri is made with it.

[@Realatmx]

Grain we use it while we having fast.. It's really healthy and delicious😋 food

[@pewp3w803]

Wow!!! ✨🖤✨

[@edgarmejia7877]

How can I buy from them directly

[@utubedude2842]

Grows wild in Kansas. Everyone sprays it

[@dannyaldama5228]

I see this plant I'm El MONTE California Houtnga Tongva Territories Indigenous to California. I wanted to plant some. It grows wildly there.

[@jtj1908]

Recipe: 50% grain amaranth; 50% short grained rice. Boil together for about 15 to 20 minutes. Water to grain ratio is 2:1 by volume. If you are going to add salt or oil or anything else, wait until the amaranth is completely cooked, at the very end.

[@marqueemark5917]

Mexico is such a blessed land. Look at all the DOPE

[@jeniahfernandez3985]

What we have that plant on our backyard it's for ornamental purposes only I never knew that it's edible..

[@nunyabusiness3625]

Some varieties are only ornamental. Be careful.

[@jeniahfernandez3985]

@@nunyabusiness3625 oh..are some varieties poisonous?

[@nunyabusiness3625]

@@jeniahfernandez3985 I'm not certain if there are poisonous varieties, but I wouldn't chance eating one that isn't edible. It's pretty easy to grow if you're interested. There are red and green varieties. MI Gardener sells an edible red variety on their website. Or you could get a bag of the Bob's Red Mill amaranth (or any brand) from the grocery store and see if you like it first.

[@JonJaeden]

How different is amaranth in taste and texture from couscous?

[@nunyabusiness3625]

Pretty different. Couscous is a pasta made from durum wheat, so it has a more mushy mouth feel.

[@jecs28]

Acá en Guatemala también existe 🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹 Saludos

[@jonirubidarma4773]

Back to the nature

[@nunyabiznes33]

Is there a variety with both leaves and grains red?

[@nunyabusiness3625]

Yes. MI Gardener sells amaranth on their website- ornamental and edible.

[@mainpage725]

Can we make tortillas de amaranto?

[@iluan_]

Si se puede carnal. Busca aquí mismo en KZbin y hay varias recetas.

[@YawehthedragondogofEL]

The Aztecs liked to mix popped Amaranth with human blood and shape it into the form of the Sun God and eat it.

[@whatweeatin6307]

Viva la GRAIN

[@K1LD3R]

This host is awesome

[@freebie808]

Cool