Although it is native to South and South-East Asia, A. tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world.

Considered a san-namul (wild green) that grows abundantly in the countryside, it tends to be foraged rather than planted and harvested.

[6] It has an earthy and nutty flavor, and goes well with both gochujang- and soup soy sauce-based seasonings, and bori-bap (barley rice).

[6][7]It appears on the coat of arms of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where it is called "flowers gentle".

[citation needed] Amaranthus gangeticus is considered a synonym of A. tricolor,[8] but has been recognized as a separate species in the past.