The first thing to know about amaranth is it’s not actually a grain. Instead, it’s called a pseudo-cereal because it’s actually a tiny, round seed. Despite this, it’s still considered an ancient grain and delivers a complex, peppery flavor to a variety of products.

Amaranth is grown all over the world, from Peru and Mexico to China. In the United States, amaranth is grown in the Great Plains and Midwest states. The crop grows tall and features colorful grain heads that produce the tiny seeds used in food products.

Amaranth is commonly used by the baking industry as part of gluten-free flour formulations. It also can be used in snack foods to add texture, or used as an alternative to rice in a variety of dishes.

Flour