Oct 07, 2013
Q’s on Quinoa
We all know about quinoa, right? It tastes and feels like a grain, and looks like a grain.. but is actually a seed! It originated in Peru and is a complete protein, it's gluten-free, and absolutely delicious. As a matter of fact, I am eating quinoa we speak. I like to buy Trader Joe's Organic Tri-Color Quinoa that's a blend of red, black and golden quinoa. I normally cook it plain as a side with veggies and grilled chicken, or toss it in my salads for that extra texture and nutty flavor. Just make sure you throughly rinse and soak the quinoa seeds before cooking it since it's naturally coated with saponin. Washing the saponin off strips the bitter taste and also reduces the risk of developing any sensitivities or allergens to quinoa so remember to rinse it! There are three varieties of quinoa; red white or black. These three types are very similar in nutritional content, but there are a few small differences to note.
WHITE
You can probably find white quinoa at the supermarket with ease, white is the most common out of the three! The only difference to really note is the creamy, soft texture of the white quinoa. It goes well with nearly everything so be creative with white quinoa!
RED
While white has a smooth light flavor, red quinoa has more chewy and crunchy texture, and takes a longer time to cook. Because it holds its shape after cooking, it makes it ideal for cold salads. It also has a stronger nuttier flavor than the white, which is why a lot of people prefer the red over white.. It’s a little harder to find in stores however so be on the look out!
BLACK
Black quinoa actually originated in Colorado by two farmers who wanted to mimic condition in the Andes so that they can grow quinoa in the US. After a few years of experimenting, a whole new plant variety appeared and the result was black quinoa. Black has an earthier and sweeter taste than white quinoa but is the hardest to find in supermarkets. You can try to find it at farmer’s markets or order it online if you can’t find it in supermarkets. Give black quinoa a shot if you haven’t already, it’s unique color makes any dish look interesting.
How do you add quinoa to your meals?
