The History of Plants by Plantrums

Forbidden Flower - The Story of Amaranth

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Join me on an incredible journey through history as we uncover the story of amaranth: the sacred grain that refused to die! 🌾 From its ancient origins in South and Central America to its revered role in Aztec rituals and its dramatic suppression by conquistadors, amaranth's resilience is nothing short of inspiring. I’ll share how this fascinating plant survived near extinction to become a modern superfood packed with nutrition and potential.

Discover how early farmers cultivated this grain, how it was used to create sacred effigies, and how its vibrant colors and nutritional benefits are making a comeback today. You'll hear my personal take on its incredible transformation—from a symbol of life and fertility to a lost treasure rediscovered. Plus, learn why amaranth could play a role in improving global food security.

Sources:

  • https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/history.panels.pdf
  • https://www.britannica.com/topic/agriculture/The-Americas
  • https://mysliceofmexico.ca/2020/10/31/traditional-sweets-alegrias-and-wafers-with-amaranth/
  • https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/05/01/526033083/why-mexican-chefs-farmers-and-activists-are-reviving-the-ancient-grain-amaranth
  • https://www.ancientgrains.com/amaranth/amaranth-history-and-origin?srsltid=AfmBOopcaA4qygRdLCTGAXs1hjx_Sk8hnkpSyhTGD12jrr3skRi8OCdY
  • https://hungerandthirstforlife.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-to-pop-amaranth.html
  • https://foodrevolution.org/blog/what-is-amaranth/
  • https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/grain-month-calendar/amaranth-may-grain-month
  • https://www.wnyc.org/story/225970-last-chance-foods-amaranths-ancient-history/ 
  • https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/blogs/wellness/amaranth-porridge-recipe
  • https://passtheflamingo.com/2017/04/12/ancient-recipe-tzoalli-amaranth-candy-aztec-prehistory-16th-century-ce/
  • https://seedsofindia.com/products/stem-amaranth 
  • https://nepalitimes.com/banner/the-superfoods-of-the-andes-and-the-himalaya
  • https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11763/chapter/3#35
  • https://www.ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/amaranth 
  • https://orionmagazine.org/article/soil-and-spirit-amaranth-history/
  • https://www.amazon.com/Huitzilopochtli-History-Aztec-Human-Sacrifice/dp/1081689552 
  • https://masaamerica.com/2019/06/15/amaranth-and-the-tzoalli-heresy/
  • https://corn.aae.wisc.edu/Crops/Amaranth.aspx 
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/amaranth-flour
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8871380/ 
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth_(color)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth_(dye) 
  • https://food.berkeley.edu/from-the-field/the-promise-of-amaranth/
  • https://pure.psu.edu/en/publications/legitimised-violence-in-colonial-spanish-america
  • https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/16/science/ancient-forgotten-plant-now-grain-of-the-future.html 
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8871380/
  • https://s3.amazonaws.com/edu.psu.libraries.scholarsphere-prod/store/0bd55218fa1f6260b957a6d27703e16e.pdf

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    The History of Plants by PlantrumsBy Megan Brame