Quinoa - An Azure Standard Pantry Staple - Review

I copied Azure Standard's description of quinoa from their website. I definitely recommend purchasing from Azure Standard, and not just quinoa. We liked quinoa before we learned about the health benefits. I like it plain and simple, but it makes wonderful dishes too. Chipotle quinoa black bean burgers are a favorite around here. You can find the recipe here: Chipotle Quinoa Black Bean Burgers

 

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is one of the healthiest, most nutritious foods on the planet. It’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids. It is also high in fiber, magnesium, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants. Truly, a superfood in every sense of the word.

Quinoa is a tiny seed that is a powerhouse of nutrition. (Red quinoa seeds pictured above)

But what, exactly, is it? Quinoa is a grain crop that is grown for its edible seeds. It technically isn’t a cereal grain, but a pseudo-cereal. In other words, it is a seed which is prepared and eaten like a grain.

Scientifically speaking, quinoa is the mature seed of the species Chenopodium Quinoa, which belongs to the Chenopodioideae subfamily of the amaranthaceous. Spinach, Swiss chard and beets are in the same family.

Quinoa was an important crop for the Inca Empire, as far back as 5000 BC. They referred to it as the “mother of all grains” and believed it to be sacred. It was a diet staple of pre-Hispanic cultures of South America, before being replaced by cereals brought by the Spaniards. Today it’s found mainly in the region of Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia.

Azure Market Organic Quinoa comes in three different colors – black, red and white. We also offer a tri-colored mix of all three. White quinoa has a neutral taste, while black and red quinoa are bolder in flavor.

Quinoa has only 160 calories per quarter-cup serving with 2.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. About 28% of quinoa's fatty acids come in the form of oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, and about 5% in the form of alpha-linolenic acid or ALA — the omega-3 fatty acid most commonly found in plants associated with decreased risk of inflammation-related disease.

Quinoa is higher in fiber than most grains and is a very good source of manganese. It is also a good source of phosphorus, copper, magnesium, dietary fiber, folate and zinc.

It cooks fast on top of the stove (15 minutes cook time, 5 minutes stand time) and even faster in a pressure cooker.
(4 minutes cook time with a natural release)

Two flavonoids that have been particularly well studied, quercetin and kaempferol, are found in large amounts in quinoa. In fact, the quercetin content of quinoa is even higher than typical high-quercetin foods like cranberries. These important molecules have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant effects in animal studies. 

The really great thing about quinoa though is that it is the perfect grain-free substitute for salads and other dishes. Serve as a side dish, in casseroles, for breakfast, or as a compliment to curry, grilled vegetables or braised meat. And be sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking to reduce the bitter taste that comes with its natural coating. 

I highly recommend having quinoa in the pantry. You can't go wrong having quinoa as a pantry staple. Check out Azure Standard for healthy alternatives to regular grocery store products. I'm still learning what they carry. I'm very impressed!

Mrs. Smith