Burgundy Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus)

Amaranth Burgundy (Amaranthus hypochondriacus): the most popular  variety  within this important species, cultivated for the consumption of both, leaves and seeds. This is an undemanding plant in terms of soil and water needs,  easy to cultivate , productive and highly ornamental. It holds great nutritional qualities; it can be wholly consumed: seeds and leaves which taste similar to spinach, it is necessary to pick them while still tender, before flowering (40-60 days from sowing). The seeds, used in many different recipes, even baking, have high protein content, 13 gm per 100, 26 of carbohydrates and 7 of fiber, amaranth does not contain gluten. This variety gets to 2mt, the leaves are dark red in the first phases of growth, and turn green when ripe, The panicle (inflorescence) is of medium size with slightly leaning posture; by harvest time it is very easy to identify the seeds, since their light color stand out from the red of the plant. It has megathermal needs - it is sown from April to June in the South - two months to harvest the leaves, then a long flowering begins, it takes about 100 days to harvest the seeds. Once ready, the seeds can be collected by sieving them to separate them from the vegetable residues. The seeds take a while to disperse so they tolerate the inexperience of the one who cultivates for the first time.