The Ancient Superfood
In 1982 The Quinoa Corporation brought the first 50 lb bag of this unknown crop into the United States, with the intention of sharing with the natural foods industry. Since that time, word of this this amazing food has spread globally.
Ancient in its origins, Quinoa actually has been a food staple for more than 5,000 years, and is known with great respect as the "Mother Grain". It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization, and considered sacred. Quinoa ("Keen-Wa") is a sesame-seed-sized kernel that has been cultivated in the Andes Mountains for thousands of years. It grows three to six feet tall despite high altitudes, intense heat, freezing temperatures, and as little as four inches of annual rainfall. Currently Peru and Bolivia maintain seed banks with 1,800 types of quinoa.
Actually the seed of a leafy plant, quinoa’s botanical relatives include spinach, beets and Swiss chard. It is easily digested, with a delicate taste. and rich amounts of protein, iron, potassium, calcium along with fiber, vitamins and minerals. One researcher has said that “while no single food can supply all of the essential life-sustaining nutrients, quinoa comes as close as any other in the vegetable or animal kingdoms. Due to its texture and easy digestibility, quinoa is also thought to be an excellent source of nutrition for infants and children. Though not technically nor genetically a grain, quinoa can be substituted for nearly any grain in cooking
Quinoa seeds range in color from pink and orange to blue-black, purple, and red. The seeds traditionally have a bitter coating. However, once their natural saponin coating is washed off, the seeds are pale yellow and delicate in flavor. For convenience, Ancient Harvest Quinoa arrives boxed, fully cleaned and washed prior to packaging and does not need rinsing. The same quinoa sold in boxes is used to make quinoa flour and flakes also. No soaking or rinsing is required for them either. The products are certified Organic by NOP (National Organics Program) and are certified kosher by the Star-K Kosher
In addition to the Traditional and Inca Red quinoa varieties, Ancient Harvest is also available in an assortment of organic gluten–free pasta products: Elbows, Garden Pagodas, Linguine, Rotelle, Shells, Spaghetti and Veggie Curls. They are made from a blend of organic corn flour and organic quinoa flour. The veggie curls and garden pagodas have organic dried red bell pepper and organic dried spinach for coloring. While cooking the "pasta" shapes, we noticed the boiling water was slightly yellow, but this is normal due to the corn flour in the product. Enjoy the traditional shapes of pasta in a gluten–free product.
Certain lots of Ancient Harvest quinoa, imported from Bolivia have been approved as kosher for Passover. Check in 2013 for updated information.
Visit Quinoa.com for more product information.
July 9, 2012