Organic Quinoa Products
Quinoa is a seed although many people class it as a grain. Being an incredibly versatile seed, with similar high nutritional values to grain, Indigo Herbs has in stock a varied array of high quality Organic Quinoa products. Our stock includes -
Organic Quinoa Grain, Organic Quinoa Flour, Organic Quinoa Flakes, Organic Puffed Quinoa
Quinoa comes from the Andean region of Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. It is one of the famed foods of the Incan civilisation dating back at least 3,000 years. According to legend, the Incan Emperor would use a golden implement to plant the first Quinoa plant at the start of each the growing season as a sign of respect for the chisaya mama - "mother grain". Quinoa was almost lost to history when the Spanish arrived in South America in 1532. They saw Quinoa seed as 'Indian food' and tried to suppress it's cultivation whilst also forbidding its exchange or sale. During the 1970's Quinoa enjoyed a full resurgence in America and soon became popular globally as protein rich grain.
Since Quinoa is not a grass it can't be classed as a cereal. Rather it is part of the plant family Amaranthaceae that also includes Spinach and Beetroot. When in full flower Quinoa can reach an average height of around 4 meters and has big round busy flower heads. These are then threshed to release the seed. The plant itself is resistant to frost, drought and can survive in a multitude of different soils types. This contributes to it's qualities as one of the worlds most cherished rewarding plants.