Amaranthus tricolor, also called edible amaranth,[3] is a species in the genus Amaranthus (family Amaranthaceae).
The ornamental plant is known as bireum in Korea,[3]tampala, tandaljoortandalja bhaji in India,[4]callaloo in the Caribbean, and Joseph's coat after the Biblical figure Joseph, who is said to have worn a coat of many colors. Although it is native to South America, many varieties of amaranth can be found across the world in a myriad of different climates due to it being a C4 carbon fixation plant, which allows it to convert carbon dioxide into biomass at an extremely efficient rate when compared to other plants. Cultivars have striking yellow, red and green foliage.
The leaves may be eaten as a salad vegetable as well as the stems. In Africa, it is usually cooked as a leafy vegetable.[5] It is usually steamed as a side dish in both China and Japan.
Amaranthus gangeticus is considered a synonym of A. tricolor,[6] but has been recognized as a separate species in the past. Amaranthus gangeticus is also known as elephant-head amaranth. It is an annual flowering plant with deep purple flowers. It can grow from 2–3 feet in height. In Bangladesh, it has been used as a leafy vegetable. Scientific study suggests that it may inhibit calcium retention in rice-based diets.[7]
Culinary uses
Korea
InKorea, the plant is referred to as bireum(비름). Small-leaved, reddish-stalked chambireum(참비름, "true bireum") is used as a namul vegetable In Korean cuisine. It is a wild green that grows abundantly in the countryside and tends to be foraged rather than planted and harvested.[8] Bireum has an earthy and nutty flavor, and goes well with both gochujang and soup soy sauce.[8]
Dishes
bireumnamul – a type of namul, made by blanching the edible amaranth, squeezing it to drain water, and seasoning them with doenjangorgochujang, sesame oil, chopped scallions, chopped garlic, and toasted sesame seeds. Bireumnamul goes well with boribap(barley rice).[9]
^Larsen, T.; Thilsted, S. H.; Biswas, S. K.; Tetens, I. (2007). "The leafy vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) is a potent inhibitor of calcium availability and retention in rice-based diets". British Journal of Nutrition. 90 (3): 521–527. doi:10.1079/BJN2003923. PMID13129457.
