Tag: Amaranthaceae family

Botanically speaking, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to Central and Western Asia. Its classification is not as simple as its culinary use suggests, involving a detailed scientific hierarchy that places it in the Amaranthaceae family.

According to botanists, quinoa is not a true cereal grain but rather a pseudocereal, a seed that cooks and eats like a grain. Its classification as a pseudocereal places it in the same family as some surprising and very common plants, revealing a close relationship to other nutritious foods you may already consume regularly.

While most people recognize spinach as a healthy leafy green, a common point of confusion is its botanical classification. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, a large group of plants that includes many other common vegetables and grains. Understanding this family provides insight into spinach's surprising connections to other foods on your plate.