Amaranth seeds are still expensive, by comparison. The best price I've found thus far is around $28/pound. With that said, consider that there are about 5000 seeds per gram and there are 28 grams per ounce and 16 ounces per pound. So it's a lot of seed, even at that price. And nutritionally speaking, it worth the cost. Compared to other grains amaranth seeds have a much higher content of the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron and of the amino acid Lysine. (Grains are usually low in that, corn has none. Most people get their Lysine from meat.) Amaranth seeds are also high in potassium, zinc, Vitamin B and E and can contain over 20% protein (depending on the variety).
Amaranth leaves are nutritionally similar to beets, Swiss chard and spinach, but are much superior. For example amaranth leaves contain three times more calcium and three times more niacin (vitamin B3) than spinach leaves. (Or twenty times more calcium and seven times more iron than lettuce, which simply isn't all that nutritious...).
Amaranth is much closer genetically to its wild ancestors than our over developed and nutritionally depleted typical vegetables. Amaranth leaves are an excellent source of carotene, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin C and trace elements
Grow Amaranth for it's tasty leaves? YES YES YES! The leaves are great in a combo leafy green salad. Try to find red garnet variety, or the green leaf with red overlay.. The white or cream color variety is also great.The black variety has a grittiness to it.
If you grow them to full maturity for the flower heads, you can collect many 1000's of seeds from one flower head, for your next crop or next sprout adventure. They love warm weather and climates, and are not finicky about their soil. Super easy to grow in container for the leaves in your fresh salads or smoothies!
Here are 2 good videos showing the process for Amaranth micro/macro greens.
And 2 below that, showing how to grow it more full scale for it's leaves for salad greens or seed collection
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