Introducing Premium Quinoa At Nature's Earthly Choice we are excited to bring you another exotic and highly nutritious, great tasting food, this time from South America. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is one of several ancient grains being rediscovered today by chefs around North America. Once known as "The Gold of the Incas" and the "Mother of all Grains," Quinoa was the core protein of the Inca diet. However, the consumption of Quinoa declined after the Spanish Conquistadors tried to eradicate its cultivation in an effort to dominate the Incan culture. Luckily, brave farmers continued to grow Quinoa in secret, and we are able to re-establish Quinoa as a staple grain in the world today. Quinoa is growing in popularity because it delivers all of the nutritional benefits of animal protein without the fat and calories. The grain has a lovely nutty flavor that is richer than that of couscous and cooks quickly in roughly 15 minutes. Quinoa contains all 8 amino acids, the protein building blocks that our bodies can’t make but must get from our food. Quinoa contains an average 13% protein compared to rice at only 9%. Quinoa is an excellent source of fiber, containing both soluble and non-soluble fiber. It is high in a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, like iron, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. It is also gluten-free. Nature's Earthly Choice’s Premium Quinoa is pre-washed to remove the bitter coating that naturally covers the Quinoa seed. However, Quinoa is an agricultural product and even with the use of modern cleaning equipment and procedures, it is not always possible to remove all foreign material. We suggest that you always rinse and sort your Quinoa before cooking. Extremely versatile and easy to prepare, Quinoa is great as a side dish mixed with vegetables and seasonings. You can use Quinoa in place of rice in almost any recipe. Mixed with a little maple syrup or brown sugar, some fresh fruit and nuts, our Quinoa makes a delicious and healthy breakfast cereal. Or add our Quinoa to your favorite soup or salad for a gluten-free boost of protein and fiber. You are only limited by your imagination.