Amaranth, UCSC Popping

Quick facts Tall, diversely population Mixture of colors Pop like popcorn! Amaranthus sp. A diverse population we originally got from Siskiyou Seeds.  Plants range from 4-8 feet tall and produce massive seed heads.  Red, gold, and white seed heads produce tan seeds that pop when placed in a hot skillet like popcorn.  Crunchy morsels can be added to salads, granola, or any dish that needs a little extra crunch. More about amaranth: Amaranth is a unique and ancient grain native to the Americas.  It was a staple food of the Aztecs, Inca, and Mayan and was first cultivated in 8,000 BC.  It is still of huge importance in Central America, where it thrives not only as a resilient, low impact staple food but as spiritual symbol of cultural thriving.We have followed the work of the non-profit Garden's Edge ever since being introduced to their work at the Santa Rosa Heirloom Festival in 2014.  Working in Guatemala, Garden's Edge "supports sustainable agriculture, micro-enterprise, and educatio