 | Quinoa is a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium) grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds.
Quinoa is not really a grain, it is a pseudocereal (not even a real cereal, as it is not a grass). Its leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable but the commercial availability of quinoa greens is currently very limited.
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wah) was considered sacred by the Andean civilizations (who depended on it around 3000BC). |
The Incas referred to quinoa as "chisaya mama" or "mother of all grains", and traditionally the Incan emperor would sow the first seeds of the season using 'golden implements'. During the European conquest of South America quinoa was scorned by the Spanish colonists as "food for Indians," and even actively suppressed, due to its status within indigenous non-Christian ceremonies.
More recently Quinoa has gotten a lot of attention as a healthy alternative to protein-rich foods such as beef or cheese. Quinoa is gluten-free; easy to digest and contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans (protein content 12%–18%), making it a good choice for vegetarians and vegans. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.
Have a look at what one 100 gram serving contains.
Nutritional Value of Quinoa (100 grams):
372 calories
Proteins 11.49 grams
Fat 4.86 grams
Carbohydrates 71.2 grams
Calcium 66 milligrams
Iron 8.5 milligrams
Vitamin A 1 gram
Vitamin C 1 gram
Thiamin 0.24 grams
Riboflavin 0.23 grams
Niacin 1.40 grams
Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and a mild, slightly nutty flavour. A common cooking method for quinoa is to bring two cups of water to a boil with one cup of the grain, cover and simmer on low heat for 14–18 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it (like al dente pasta).
Where can I buy or find Quinoa in South Africa? What if I live in a small town?
Click here to find and buy quinoa on this site. Order quinoa (or anything else) online and we will deliver anywhere in South Africa.
