A heat- and drought-tolerant green in spectacular splashes of color! This leafy “spinach” amaranth is popular in Asia, eaten raw, stir fried, or steamed. Known as bireum in Korea and as xian cai in China. Recent research has shown that amaranth in Asia is identical to that of amaranth in the Americas, and has been proven to have existed in Asia for millennia. For some, the presence of amaranth in Asia is considered a living piece of evidence that pre-Columbian transatlantic trade indeed happened. This is by far the most tender and sweetest amaranth for edible greens, making for vibrant and delicious salad. The young leaves are a perfect spinach substitute; the intricately colored leaves are juicy and succulent. This is the go-to “green” for midsummer when all others have bolted, and can be harvested just 30-40 days from sowing.