Welcome back, friends! Today, I'd like to share a few close ups of Cholai, also known as Red Spinach (Amaranthus cruentus). It’s mostly grown in my village as a veggie, but it actually has a pretty wild history.
Back in the day, it was a staple crop of the Aztecs—so special that they popped its seeds like corn, mixed it with honey, and turned it into a sweet treat used in their rituals. The Spanish conquistadors didn’t like that much and ended up banning it.
But Cholai didn’t disappear. It quietly lived on for centuries, grown in secret... and now it’s making a comeback. These days, it’s loved not just for its nutrition, but also because it’s a climate-resilient crop that grows easily with little water and helps support sustainable farming.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!