If you think fully-grown red garnet amaranth, with its fleshy oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips, is beautiful, you should see red garnet amaranth microgreens. How the merging red colors of fuchsia, opal, and magenta grows brighter and brighter starting from the bottom of the stem all the way to the leaves makes a bunch of red garnet amaranth microgreens very beautiful to look at. Granted that they do not produce edible seeds (and no feathery red flowers too) the way mature, full-grown red garnet amaranth normally would (which is one of its best quality) because this is not part of being a microgreen, but using this for food and cooking will make the dish look great and taste great.
Classification Information:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Subfamily: Amaranthoideae
Genus: Amaranthus
Red Garnet Amaranth Microgreen Trivia
- In some places, they call red garnet amaranth other names like Love-Lies-Bleeding or Velvet Flower.
- Red garnet amaranth is a tall plant (they can grow up to 10 feet), but as a microgreen, they do not grow very tall, which is why these will be harvested close to the root line, requiring thorough rinsing.
- Amaranth is known as effective in treating premature graying of hair.
- The Aztecs made ceremonial statues using amaranth seeds mixed with honey. When the Spanish came, amaranth was outlawed and fields of amaranth were burned.
- The word “amaranth” comes from the Greek amarantos which means “one that does not wither” or “the never-fading”. This is referencing the longevity of the flowers that last for a very long time compared to other flowers.
Red Garnet Amaranth Microgreen Buying Guide
Red garnet amaranth microgreens are sold in groceries, supermarkets, farmers markets, and other specialty stores. Ask around for local growers so that you can source your red garnet amaranth microgreens locally, especially if you are in the restaurant or food catering business requiring a regular supply of red garnet amaranth microgreens.
When buying red garnet amaranth microgreens, buy just enough until the next grocery day. If this is the first time you are buying red garnet amaranth microgreens, try to buy in small quantities first so that you can taste it; should you not like it, you don’t have a lot of red garnet amaranth microgreens to dispose of and you are not being wasteful.
When buying, make sure to inspect it thoroughly. See if the leaves and stems are of good quality. It is ok if one or two are wilted, but if most of the bunch are wilted and do not appear fresh, do not buy it.
If you are buying seeds so that you can grow your own red garnet amaranth microgreens, this will give you an idea of how many seeds you expect to get from a pack.
- 1-ounce pack contains approximately 8,000 seeds
- 4-ounce pack contains approximately 32,000 seeds
- 1-pound pack or bag contains approximately 128,000 seeds
- 5-pound pack or bag contains approximately 640,000 seeds
- 25-pound pack or bag contains approximately 3,200,000 seeds
Red Garnet Amaranth Microgreen Production & Farming in Texas
Growing red garnet amaranth microgreens is easy. The preferred growing medium is either soil or hydroponic. Red garnet amaranth microgreens are very delicate and prefer warm growing conditions.
Put soil on your growing tray. Moisten the soil if it feels dry but do not overwater it because if this happens, you need an extra hour just to make sure the excess water has fully drained. The next step is sprinkling the seeds on the growing medium. If you are unsure how many seeds you need, 1.25 ounces of seeds are enough to cover a 10×20 tray without the problem of overcrowding. Lightly mist the seeds using a spray bottle. Cover the tray with a lid and keep it somewhere dark with a room temperature ranging from 60°F to 70°F. Remove the lid and mist them lightly every day. For red garnet amaranth microgreens, expect signs of germination in 2 to 3 days. The next step is exposing them to sunlight. You can use grow light, artificial light, or indirect sunlight. Make sure not to put these under very strong lighting because this is not good for them. Direct sunlight is not recommended because the microgreens will easily dry. Red garnet amaranth microgreen seeds require no presoaking. Blackout time is between 2 to 4 days. Red garnet amaranth microgreens are ready for harvest in about 8 to 12 days.
Tips:
- Buy red garnet amaranth microgreen seeds from a reputable seed seller or distributor.
- Water from the side of the tray to make sure the weight of the water will not squash the microgreens, or maintain water in the water tray.
- Try to sample a few each day starting from day 10. You’ll notice the subtle difference in flavor as the microgreens continue to grow.
- Rotate crop once it is exposed to light to avoid “bending” microgreens.
- Molds can “hop” from plants to your microgreens, so avoid putting your grow trays beside other plants just to be safe.
There are farmers and growers in Texas who grow red garnet amaranth microgreens, ranging from small backyard urban gardening to big commercial operations. TexSelect Farms in Aledo, Texas, and Gracy’s Microgreens in Pflugerville, Texas are among the sources of red garnet amaranth microgreens in the state. Many here in Texas grow microgreens for their supply and consumption. There are also initiatives in Texas like the Big Tex Urban Farms that help promote the business as well as the attitude of the public towards microgreens. Texas restaurants with microgreens on the menu use and mix different microgreens including red garnet amaranth microgreens.
Pesticides:
Microgreens are a fast-growing crop. This means there is very little time for pests to be a problem. If there is a pest `problem, it will probably involve aphids and whiteflies. If the problem requires the use of pesticides, make note of the following:
- Aphids – Kill aphids using neem oil, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil. You can also use the pesticide malathion, which is the most commonly used organophosphate insecticide in the United States, or rotenone, a selective, non-specific insecticide typically used in home gardens for insect control.
- Whiteflies – Malathion or Pyrethrins are effective against whiteflies.
Geography:
Amaranth is native to Peru. Red garnet amaranth leaves are very popular worldwide. But besides mature greens, there is also a market today for red garnet amaranth microgreens. Because of grow lights and temperature-controlled rooms, it is possible to grow any microgreens anywhere in the world, and that includes red garnet amaranth microgreens. North America is a major microgreens market. The US (where microgreens originated), Canada, and Mexico are among the top producing countries of microgreens.
Packaging:
Red garnet amaranth microgreens are sold in transparent plastic clamshell packaging or Styrofoam food tray covered with plastic wrap.
Enjoying Red Garnet Amaranth Microgreens
You can eat red garnet amaranth microgreens raw, and when you do, you will notice the crisp, fresh texture and the mild, sweet, earthy taste. It tastes like mustard but less spicy. If you have eaten red garnet amaranth, you will notice that the microgreen has a milder flavor compared to the mature, fully grown leaves. Wash them, dry them, and put them in a bowl for anyone who wants to snack on fresh red garnet amaranth microgreens. This is a great way to start a healthy and nutritious snacking habit. But be careful not to eat too many red garnet amaranth microgreens, especially if you have a history of having an allergic reaction to amaranth. If you want to try red garnet amaranth microgreens and you have a previous history of amaranth allergy, it is best if you consult your physician first.
Storage:
If you have to store red garnet amaranth microgreens, make sure to wrap these in damp paper towels before you put these inside a resealable plastic bag or food container. They will last for a week this way. Freezing is not ideal because microgreens simply do not have the structural strength mature, full-grown vegetables have to survive being frozen and thawed. Most of the time, freezing and thawing will turn microgreens into slime, and what is left is unappetizing.
If the red garnet amaranth microgreens you bought came in clamshell packaging, use it to store red garnet amaranth microgreens in the refrigerator. If, for some reason, you need to transfer the red garnet amaranth microgreens to a different container, choose a plastic container with a lid. The least ideal storage is glass because it has the most condensation when in the refrigerator and the condensation contributes to the degradation of the quality of the red garnet amaranth microgreens inside. Avoid putting them near the vent of the refrigerator because if the temperature fluctuates, it will affect the condition of the red garnet amaranth microgreens. Put it on the lower shelf where the temperature is more stable. Remember that different microgreens vary when it comes to how long they keep in the refrigerator.
Cooking:
When cooking, use red garnet amaranth as a substitute for spinach. You can use red garnet amaranth microgreens when making salads. Use red garnet amaranth microgreens in your sandwich too. Here are other uses for red garnet amaranth microgreens: in pasta, soups, curries, stews, wraps, savory bread and baked goods. Red garnet amaranth is a great addition to any food not just because of its flavor, but it also helps the food look great with its amazing red color.
Nutritional Benefits:
The red garnet amaranth microgreen is a high-protein microgreen. Red garnet amaranth microgreens are loaded with vitamins K, E, and C, calcium, iron, and beta-carotene. Red garnet amaranth can help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and ease the pain. People suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and stroke will benefit from eating red garnet amaranth microgreens. Red garnet amaranth microgreens also help prevent cancer.
