Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOrganic quinoa grown in Peru
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018
Quinoa, pronounced "keen-wah," is touted by many as a "super food." It is an ancient food which was highly prized by the Incas. It is mainly harvested in the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily in Bolivia and Peru. It is currently also being grown in the US and Canada but, so far, North American growers have been unable to match the quality of South American quinoa. The source of this particular quinoa is Peru.
Though it is possible to cook with quinoa t and use it in recipes as if it were a whole grain, quinoa is actually a seed. Many people on a gluten-free diet substitute it for wheat, and like most seeds, it contains much more protein than grains, which makes it an excellent choice for vegetarians. It is also on the approved list for those on an alkaline diet as it is considered less acid than grains. When quinoa is rated on the glycemic index, it comes in at a very low 18, making it a great choice for people who are hypoglycemic, diabetic, or on a low-glycemic diet to lose weight.
1 cup of cooked quinoa has this nutritional breakdown:
222 calories, which is 70% carbs, 15% fat, and 15% protein in this manner:
4 grams of (healthy) fat
39 grams of carbohydrates (5 grams of which is fiber)
8 grams of protein
Quinoa contains folate (an important B vitamin), magnesium, phosphorous, copper and manganese.
Quinoa can be ground into flour (I use my Vita-Mix to do that) and substituted for wheat flour in recipes for baked goods. The whole seed can be cooked just like rice. You use 2 cups of water per 1 cup of quinoa, bring it to a boil, and let it simmer about 15 minutes. When you see ring-shaped sprouts popping out of the quinoa seeds, it is almost finished. Stir it to make sure all the water is absorbed.
Quinoa by itself tastes a bit bland, but that's actually an advantage in cooking as it can absorb the flavor of herbs and spices very well. It makes an excellent pilaf and a nice addition to a thick, hearty soup or an important ingredient in a veggie burger. You can also stir in blueberries or other fruit and eat it as a breakfast porridge.
Over the years I have purchased several different brands of organic quinoa. This particular brand seems to be of high quality, and the taste is excellent. I would definitely buy this brand again.
