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 demands, 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 cob (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 macrothermal 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 do not disperse for a long time so they tolerate the inexperience of the one who cultivates for the first time.

Amaranth is a pseudocereal, seeds can be used for flour or for other recipes. Since it doesn't have any gluten, you need to add other flours in order to make dough for baking, here we share a recipe for AMARANTH BREAD. Seeds can be used for many other recipes, such as the following: 10 RECIPES TO ENJOY GREENME 'S amaranth.

* = Very low: no need for irrigation

** =Low: also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drough.

*** = Reduced: this variety is amongst the leas demanding of its species, hence it is highly suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, to be irrigated only in case of prolonged droughts

****= Tolerant to water stress: it needs moderate irrigation, suitable for gardens with low water consumption.

We are currently creating a guide for this kind of cultivation, unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is only an overall indication that we can provide without causing confusion about the process. Dry farming, in fact, requires cultivation techniques suitable for the specific  pedoclimate and substrate. All of the varieties included in this category have been acclimatized in Italy.