Quinoa
Where to buy it, how to use it, and more!
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Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a gluten-free, grain-like food that is very nutritious.
Where to buy good quinoa
This quinoa from Azure Standard is super tasty and never bitter. I also like Anthony’s organic quinoa.
Different varieties of quinoa
Quinoa comes in a variety of colors.
White Quinoa
The most common color of quinoa is white. White quinoa has the most delicate taste and the lightest texture of all the colors of quinoa. It also cooks up a bit fluffier than other types of quinoa.
Red Quinoa
Red quinoa has a richer taste, slightly chewier and heartier texture, and somewhat nuttier flavor compared to white quinoa. Red quinoa turns a pretty brownish hue when cooked, and it is often used cold salads as it holds its shape better during cooking.
Black Quinoa
Black quinoa is very hearty and more fibrous than white quinoa.
Purple Quinoa
Purple quinoa is very similar to red quinoa. It isn’t readily available in grocery stores.
Orange Quinoa
Orange quinoa is a slightly milder version of red quinoa. It is also hard to find.
Rainbow Quinoa
Also called tricolor quinoa or quinoa blend, rainbow quinoa, is a packaged blend of different colors of quinoa (usually white, black, and red).
Quinoa Flakes
Quinoa also comes in flakes – similar to how oats come whole or as rolled oats. Quinoa flakes can be used in place of quick oats in many recipes, such as granola, fruit crisp, and porridge.
How to cook with quinoa
Quinoa is very versatile. It can be used in soups, cereal, patties and burgers, pilafs, salads, and even desserts.
Is quinoa healthy?
Yes, quinoa is a very nutritious food.
Quinoa provides more protein than any other grain. And quinoa is a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and many other essential nutrients.
Can quinoa be eaten raw?
Quinoa should be cooked before consuming. The body cannot digest raw quinoa properly, and the undigested starch molecules can end up in the blood stream. Large amounts of improperly digested starch in the blood can cause health problems.
How to store quinoa
Store quinoa in a cool, dry place. For long-term storage (longer than a month), store in the refrigerator or freezer.
