Amaranthus_gangeticus

<i>Amaranthus tricolor</i>

Amaranthus tricolor

Species of flowering plant

Quick Facts Amaranthus tricolor, Scientific classification ...

Amaranthus tricolor, known as edible amaranth,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the genus Amaranthus, part of the family Amaranthaceae.

The plant is often cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. It is known as bireum in Korea;[3] tampala, tandaljo, or tandalja bhaji in India;[4] callaloo in the Caribbean; and Joseph's coat in other areas, in reference to the Biblical story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. Although it is native to South and South-East Asia, A. tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world.[citation needed] Cultivars have striking yellow, red, and green foliage.

Culinary uses

Amaranthus tricolor, illustration from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu (1804)

The leaves and stems may be eaten as a salad vegetable. In Africa, it is usually cooked as a leafy vegetable.[5] It is usually stir fried or steamed as a side dish in both China and Japan.[citation needed]

China

In China, it is referred to as xiàncài (simplified Chinese: 苋菜; traditional Chinese: 莧菜) and is often stir-fried with garlic and salt.[citation needed]

Korea

In Korea, the plant is referred to as bireum (비름). Small-leaved, reddish-stalked chambireum (참비름, "true bireum") is used as a namul vegetable in Korean cuisine. Considered a san-namul (wild green) that grows abundantly in the countryside, it tends to be foraged rather than planted and harvested.[6] It has an earthy and nutty flavor, and goes well with both gochujang- and soup soy sauce-based seasonings, and bori-bap (barley rice).[6][7]

  • Bireum-namul (seasoned edible amaranth)
  • Amaranth(Edibles) Flower

In culture

It appears on the coat of arms of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where it is called "flowers gentle".[citation needed]

Amaranthus gangeticus

Amaranthus gangeticus is considered a synonym of A. tricolor,[8] but has been recognized as a separate species in the past. A. gangeticus is also known as elephant-head amaranth. It is an annual flowering plant with deep purple flowers. It can grow to 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall. In Bangladesh, it has been used as a leafy vegetable. It may inhibit calcium retention in rice-based diets.[9]

References

  1. [1]
    "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  2. [2]
    "Amaranthus melancholicus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  3. [3]
    English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 349. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  4. [4]
    Michel H. Porcher. "Sorting Amaranthus names".
  5. [5]
    Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
  6. [6]
    Bburi Kitchen (20 April 2016). "10 Korean spring greens you should know". Stripes Korea. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  7. [7]
    정, 운헌 (6 March 2013). "박정희와 비름나물" [Park Chung-hee and bireumnamul]. Kangwon Dominilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  8. [8]
    "Amaranthus gangeticus L." The Plant List. 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  9. [9]
    Larsen, T.; Thilsted, S. H.; Biswas, S. K.; Tetens, I. (2007). "The leafy vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) is a potent inhibitor of calcium availability and retention in rice-based diets". British Journal of Nutrition. 90 (3): 521–527. doi:10.1079/BJN2003923. PMID 13129457.
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