Quinoa

Quinoa (KEEN-WAH) is not actually a grain; it is a member of the goosefoot family, related to spinach, beets and Swiss chard.  It originated in the Andes of South America, where it has been an important food for 6,000 years.  It was sacred to the Incas and is still a staple crop grown in the highlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru.  The source of Grain Place Foods Quinoa is Inca Organics, a fair trade company ensuring that indigenous South American farmers and artisans they work with receive fair compensation.

The tiny seeds of quinoa provide complete protein with the best amino acid profile of any grain.  Quinoa is cooked and used just as you would use rice. One serving provides 45% daily value of dietary fiber.  The natural bitter protective coating (saponin) has been removed from the quinoa seeds by washing, and is ready to cook - and it's done in just a few minutes!  Read more about the history of quinoa and check out some recipes here.  Also, note this recipe in our Customer Tips: Roasted Chicken & Veggies with Quinoa and from Chez Fayne: Apricot Breakfast Quinoa.