GFREE FOODIE
All About Quinoa: here's the details about one of our favorite ancient gluten-free grains. Plus the easiest cooking method and the answer to the question: is quinoa gluten-free?
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is an ancient food that has been cultivated in South American Andes since at least 3,000 B.C. Quinoa has been a staple food of millions of native inhabitants, the Incas called quinoa the "mother grain" and revered it as sacred. Technically quinoa is not a true grain, but is the seed of the Chenopodium or Goosefoot plant. It is used as a grain and substituted for grains because of it's cooking characteristics.
Is Quinoa Gluten-Free?
Yes, quinoa itself is gluten-free! The quinoa seeds are completely free of gluten, and since they're processed in a different way than gluten-containing grains, cross-contamination in manufacturing isn't a concern either.
Why Is Quinoa Different Colors?
It's all about the plant variety - just like apples or rice. Quinoa grains range in color from ivory to pinks, brown to reds, or almost black depending on the variety.
Do I Have To Rinse Quinoa?
Before cooking, the seeds must be rinsed to remove their bitter resin-like coating, which is called saponin. Most quinoa is rinsed before it is packaged and sold, but it is best to rinse again at home before use to remove any of the powdery residue that may remain on the seeds.
Is Quinoa Healthy?
The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several B vitamins. The protein in quinoa is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids. Quinoa is a 35 on the glycemic index.
Learn more about qunioa & how to cook it here: