San Lorenzo Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Rio San Lorenzo Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus): amongst the ones in our collection, this is the one with the least water requirements, suitable even for the hottest, driest climates. It is an undemanding plant, just like the other two, even in terms of soil -provided that it is well worked so to allow a correct development and to avoid stagnation during the last phases of the plants. Cultivation requires no further attention. It holds great nutritional qualities; it is completely edible: 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 is gluten free. The Rio San Lorenzo reaches 2 mt height, the leaves are light green, tend to thicken in water shortage, so if cultivated for dry farming (without water) it must be taken into account for consumption. The panicle (inforescence) is large and displays a slightly erect posture, and a red colour with yellow stripes. It has megathermal needs - it is sown from April to June in the South - it takes two months to harvest the leaves, then a long flowering begins,  and it takes about 100 more 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.

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, and for PANE DI AMARANTO  if you know Italian or can get a hold of a good translator, here are some other uses for the seeds  10 RECIPES TO ENJOY Amaranth by GREENME .

1. Very low: no need for irrigation

2. Low: also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drought

3. 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

4. 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.