Amaranth Flour (Rajgira Atta)

Description

Amaranth Is wealth given to us by Mother Earth. It is also called Rajgira, Ramdana and Cholai in Hindi. It is an ancient grain that has been cultivated for 8000 years. It was a staple food for Inca & Aztec civilizations. Many people think it is a cereal like wheat, rice and oats, but Amaranth is a pseudo-cereal. It is actually a seed of the plant but it is consumed as a cereal. Amaranth has an impressive nutritional profile with high amounts of proteins, fibre, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. It is one of the few staples on earth which contains all the nine essential amino acids. Amaranth is a rich source of minerals like manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, selenium and copper. It is believed to be very good for the health of our nervous system. Studies have shown that amaranth has anti-inflammatory properties and helps people suffering from chronic inflammation. It is a good choice of food for people looking to shed those extra kilos. The high protein and fibre content in Amaranth, both help in weight loss. High amounts of fibre slow down the digestion process, thereby keeping us full for longer periods of time. As a result, amaranth is not only helpful for weight loss but good for people suffering from diabetes as it helps us avoid blood sugar spikes. As amaranth is naturally gluten-free it is good for people who suffer from gluten intolerance.

Amaranth is a crop that can be easily grown in the most fertile areas as well as in the toughest of terrains with poor quality soil. Even in places where the rainfall is less than 9 inches a year- this plant can thrive. Therefore it is very helpful for the farmers and good for the environment as it helps water conservation. There are many ways to eat amaranth. You can just boil them as rice and have them with vegetables or dal. You can mix amaranth flour in stews to thicken the gravy. You can make roti’s with amaranth flour and also substitute some portion of all-purpose flour in baking with amaranth flour to make your cakes and biscuits healthier. Popped rajgira can be mixed with melted jaggery to make laddus and energy bars.