Ouro Branco

Family: Amaranthaceae Grain

Aromatic and earthy, Ouro Branco amaranth brings a rare, luminous presence to the garden—its grain develops with a clean, nutty depth and a pleasantly chewy bite.

At maturity, the plants stand tall and stately, producing abundant seed heads that dry down reliably for dependable harvest. Grow Ouro Branco for its heirloom character and its distinctive, root-leaning vigor that rewards the patient gardener with a pantry-worthy crop.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 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	Aug 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ouro Branco’s grain cooks up with a toothy, almost risotto-resistant chew, so it holds up in grain bowls and reheats without turning mushy. Its nutty-earth profile loves fats and citrus—think browned dairy and a bright squeeze of lime—to keep it from feeling heavy.

Best Uses

cook as a chewy pilaf grain with browned aromatics
toasted amaranth for crunch on salads or yogurt
stovetop porridge/polenta-style base (silky after simmering)
fold into veggie patties or grain cakes for chew

Flavor Profile

clean nutty aroma earthy, grain-brothy savor pleasantly chewy bite slight toasted/grassy note

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter roasted garlic lime black beans fried eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Amaranthus cruentus (Ouro Branco), and what should I do?

Watch for leaf-chewing caterpillars and flea beetles, which commonly damage young Amaranthus cruentus seedlings. Use row cover over seedlings until plants are well established, then hand-pick caterpillars and apply an insecticidal soap to affected foliage early in the day. If you see purple/black stem lesions or leaf spotting spreading in humid weather, remove infected leaves and improve airflow; avoid overhead watering to slow foliar diseases.

How often should I water Ouro Branco during the main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly once plants are established until mid-season), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dries, because Amaranthus cruentus forms best when moisture is consistent. Reduce watering near maturity to prevent excessive leaf disease while still avoiding long dry spells.

How can I tell when Amaranthus cruentus (Ouro Branco) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach their mature size and the inflorescences (seed heads) are fully formed and begin to dry, typically around 110 days. For grain/seed use, wait until heads are dry and rustling, then cut and thresh when seeds are hard and no longer milky. For leafy harvest, pick tender outer leaves regularly once plants are large enough; young leaves are best before the stems become tough.