About, Quinoa, the seed Aztecs called the "Mother of all Foods" and was part of religious ceremonies.
Quinoa is grown primarily in the high Andes, to 12,000 feet in Peru and Bolivia, plant is native to South America. Adopts and is being test grown in Colorado and Canada.
Quinoa is a seed, but is not a grass, is not a grain or cereal.
Quinoa is gluten free so is used in baking for folks with celiac disease and gluten problems, etc. All should Discontinue grains which can easily be replaced with far more nutrient rich Quinoa.
Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all nine amino acids, making it popular in vegetarian recipes, and since it is high in calcium, popular with non-dairy diets.
Quinoa is high actually in nearly all vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, we use it in our fiber mix, and our chocolate pudding mix recipes. Would also be good added to Pemmican.
Plant grows 4 to 6 foot tall with up to a pound of seeds per plant. Quinoa plants are similar to American millet in appearance.
Warning, Develops high nitrates if grown in highly fertilized environment...
You can buy it in different forms such as flour or seeds.
Only health type specialized grocery stores seem to stock Quinoa, Amaranth Or Chia.
See Authors Photo, top of page, of seeds sizes from Quinoa left, Amaranth, middle and Chia right, samples obtained on a trip to Peru and Bolivia.
These are All nutrient rich Andes high altitude Aztec food we recommend. Some stores may stock one or the other and a very few all. Some will stock Quinoa flour in bulk. Some may stock the seeds. Others Packaged like corn flakes, etc. Buckwheat is also a substitute, non gluten. You can also find them all online.
Quinoa seeds themselves, come with a bitter coating that protects crops from birds and insects, this coating was removed with water and used as detergent by native Peruvians.
The bitter coating serves as a natural defense against all wildlife that would normally eat the seeds. Birds and insects totally avoid the seeds because of this coating.
This thorough washing, rinse is required to remove bitter coating if you buy the seed form.
Quinoa leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like Amaranth, but the commercial availability of Quinoa greens has not arrived in U.S.
Some also grow their own Quinoa sprouts which are extra vitamin rich and are used in salads and sandwiches.
We will be doing articles on Amaranth and Chia soon.
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