Great Grain!

Say quinoa. It's not phonetical, Hooked On Phonics isn't going to work. For the most part I hear people say "quwin-o-ah". It is kind of like when people first started talking about Asiago cheese or ciabatta. Nobody knew how to say those either and I still hear them mangled occasionally (Grandma...). The correct pronunciation is KEEN-wah. Go forth and educate.

Quinoa was once very popular; it was all the rage in 5000BC, but is only recently regaining it's status. Better late than never, but this little seed is a supergrain of nutrition and generations have been missing out! To elaborate, quinoa is not only high in protein, it is a complete protein containing all nine of the essential amino acids we humans require, making it a valuable option for vegetarians. In one half cup of cooked quinoa there is a full serving of whole grains, four grams of fiber, 2 milligrams of iron, a dose of magnesium, folate and B6 and no saturated or trans fats or cholesterol. To ice the grain cake it actually tastes good, like a nutty cous-cous, which is also a tasty option for those who can't tolerate gluten proteins.

Quinoa was first domesticated around 5000 BC as a staple crop of the Inca's in South America, as well Peru, Chile and Bolivia. The Inca's recognized it as “Mother Grain” and it was hailed for its ability to increase the stamina of their warriors after consumption. What they probably didnt know is that quinoa is high in the amino lysine which is essential for the repair and growth of tissue, and also a good source of magnesium, manganese, copper, and phosphorus. When the Spanish conquistador invaded, they recognized the value the crop was to the Inca's and destroyed the fields where quinoa was grown and even made it illegal(punishable by death)if found. These laws almost led to quinioa's extinction.

If the seeds aren't harvested quinoa will sprout an edible, leafy green vegetable like spinach. The majority of today's harvest hails from Peru and Bolivia where it is picked for the small round seeds because once it flowers into the leafy green, it isn't nearly as valuable. Thankfully due to it's increasing popularity it can be found at just about any type of grocery store, not only specialty markets and is also available online. While it is still expensive at some locations, stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's actually have very reasonable prices. For some great recipe ideas check out http://www.cookingquinoa.net/quinoa-recipes/ and enjoy!