Alegria

Family: Amaranthaceae Grain

Experience the rich, nutty aroma and pleasantly chewy bite of Alegria grain amaranth, with plump seeds that cook up into a satisfying, grainy texture.

Grown for reliable harvest at about 90 days, Alegria produces abundant heads that dry down evenly for easy threshing and storage. Ideal for home grain growers seeking a flavorful staple for steaming, simmering, and sprouting, Alegria brings bold, earthy character to every batch you make from your own harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Alegria is built for the chew—small seeds that hold their grain texture instead of turning fluffy. Toast it before simmering for a deeper, more pronounced nuttiness that stands up to lime, garlic, and hearty beans.

Best Uses

steamed or simmered grain bowls where you want a chewy, not fluffy, texture
hot cereal/porridge with milk or broth for a hearty spoon-feel
dry-toasted amaranth as a crunchy topping or mixed into thicker pilafs
sprouted amaranth for a tender, peppery-green crunch in salads and wraps

Flavor Profile

nutty, earthy aroma pleasantly chewy, grainy bite toasty aftertaste when cooked or lightly dry-roasted

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic black beans chicken or pork butter or ghee cotija cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease or pest problem on Alegria, and how can I control it?

Alegria commonly suffers from foliar fungal issues (especially leaf spots) when foliage stays wet and airflow is poor. Water at the soil line in the morning, remove any spotted leaves, and improve spacing so leaves don’t touch as plants mature. If you’re seeing rapid spread, spray an appropriate copper-based fungicide according to the label and repeat only as directed.

How often should I water Alegria during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container vs. in-ground conditions. Check by feel: if the soil at 1–2 inches is dry, water thoroughly until excess drains, then wait until it dries back to that 1–2 inch level again. Avoid daily light watering, which keeps roots shallow and increases disease risk.

How can I tell when Alegria is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 90 days from sowing and the edible portions are fully developed and firm to the touch (not soft or shriveled). Watch for color change to the variety’s mature shade and consistent size across the plant rather than picking everything at the first hint of color. If you’re unsure, wait a few more days and harvest the most mature pieces first to avoid overripe leftovers.