National Quinoa Day
Gaining in popularity over recent years, quinoa offers all sorts of nutritional benefits for health-conscious people.
Position quinoa as a superfood staple for health-conscious consumers and drive retail/e-commerce sales through recipe inspiration and nutritional education.
- 5 Easy Quinoa Recipes for Every Meal (Breakfast to Dinner)
- Why Quinoa Was Called 'Magical Food' by Ancient Emperors—and Why Modern Science Agrees
- Quinoa 101: Storage Tips, Color Varieties & Global Supply Facts
- From Peru to Your Plate: The Ancient Superfood Making a Modern Comeback
Pronounced “keen-waa”, the background of quinoa can be traced back thousands of years when it was a local staple food in the Central and South American areas of the world, in countries that are now modern day Chile, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.
In some cultures during ancient times, quinoa was considered to be a ‘magical’ food and it even garnered worship from Emperors as well as many other people. The fact that this food was so revered caused some problems in the 1500s, however, when the Spanish made their way into the area. This led to the destruction of the plants and the banning of growing quinoa for many generations.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that quinoa was brought into the modern era when it was introduced into North America and it grew in popularity from there. When two American students of a Bolivian philosopher and teacher were introduced to the seed as a beneficial food, they brought the plant to the United States. They even started a company producing and selling quinoa.
Although it might not truly be magical like the ancients thought, quinoa is considered by many to be a ‘superfood’, meaning that it is chock full of nutrients as well as being rich in vitamins and protein. In fact, the United Nations even declared 2013 to be the International Year of Quinoa, which celebrated and recognized the Andean people who preserved this food in its natural state all throughout history.
As an added benefit that makes it great for just about any family, quinoa functions like a grain but is not in the grain family. It is actually a seed from the plant called Chenopodium quinoa, which is related to other plants like beets, spinach and chard. The fact that it is not a grain means that it can safely be eaten by those who have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
With all of its nutritional value and delicious taste, now is the perfect time to enjoy and celebrate National Quinoa Day!
Eat Some Delicious Quinoa
Quinoa can be eaten and enjoyed in a variety of ways, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It can be added to salads, made into porridge for breakfast, used in burger patties or simply eaten as a side dish substitute for rice. Head over to a health food grocery store or restaurant and pick up a serving of quinoa in celebration of National Quinoa Day! Share Some Fun Facts About QuinoaHave tons of fun on National Quinoa Day and raise awareness for the day by encouraging friends and family members to get excited about celebrating! Get started by sharing some of these bits of trivia about quinoa with those you come across today:Quinoa has a long shelf lifeUncooked quinoa can be stored for up to six months. Its life can be extended longer when in an airtight container and in the refrigerator.Peru is the world’s largest producer of quinoaAs the global market for quinoa continues to emerge, Peru stands as the world’s highest producer at around 57% and Bolivia comes in second at 40%. Most of the quinoa eaten in the United States is imported from South America.Quinoa grows in different color varietiesIn addition to the standard beige quinoa, there are also options for black quinoa and red quinoa.Quinoa plants can grow almost anywhereThis plant is very resilient and adaptable to many environments, including mountainous areas, extreme temperatures and high altitudes.
Try Some New Quinoa Recipe Ideas
Give that healthy diet a boost by adding quinoa to a variety of different meals that the family eats on a regular basis. On National Quinoa Day, get some inspiration from some of these unique ideas for quinoa recipes: Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Apples. Eaten as a main dish or a side dish, this vegetarian quinoa salad features delicious and healthy sweet potatoes. Quinoa Egg Bowl with Pecorino. This one is great for breakfast or at any time of the day, channeling the idea of a caesar salad by including a runny egg for the big finish. Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf. Turn a meatloaf into a much healthier meal by using ground turkey and supplementing with delicious and nutritious quinoa. It also includes carrots and bell peppers to add some other vitamins. Moroccan Quinoa Soup. Thick and hearty like a stew, this quinoa soup uses split red lentils, peppers, tomatoes, and tons of delicious spices and seasonings. National Quinoa Day FAQsWhat is quinoa?A flowering plant in the amaranth family, quinoa is not a grain but is sometimes called a ‘pseudograin’ and is also considered a ‘superfood’.[1]Is quinoa good for you?Quinoa is filled with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and very little fat.[1]Does quinoa have gluten?Quinoa does not contain gluten, making it a great cereal for those with gluten allergies or sensitivities.[1]How to pronounce quinoa?This food is pronounced “keen-waa”.[1]Is quinoa keto?Though quinoa has a lot of protein, it also has a lot of carbs so doesn’t fit well with a keto diet.[1]