Amaranth. It sounds like a celebrity baby name and while it could be–it is actually an ancient grain that was harvested by the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs. Even then it was considered a superfood. These tribes believed that amaranth, or “kiwicha,” as they called it was “life sustaining” and a staple for survival. So basically amaranth was life.

The Aztecs used it in many of their rituals and ceremonies until it was burned and destroyed in the Spanish conquest. For many years, amaranth was considered a lost seed until it resurfaced in Latin and South America. To the U.S, it was an ugly duckling of grains until the 1970’s.

Amaranth is a total superfood underdog. It is high in protein and essential amino acids. Because it is easily absorbed by the body, it serves as a unique source of energy, particularly for children, sick, and the elderly. Amaranth is a great plant-based protein source for vegans, vegetarians, and all other herbivores alike. Amaranth contains a ton of important vitamins and minerals and studies have shown that it benefits conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.