Mother of all grains

A staple of the health food store, Quinoa, pronounced ‘keenwah’, is a highly nutritious grain crop originating in South America, which was once considered ‘the gold of the Incas’.

This small grain, chenopodium quinoa, belongs to the same family as spinach and beet and is related to the common weed, Fat Hen, otherwise known as Lamb’s Quarters (chenopodium album). The Incas referred to it as ‘chisaya mama’, or mother of all grains, and considered it sacred, using it not only in their meals, but also in rituals.

Considering its many health properties, it truly is an ancient ‘superfood’. Quinoa is gluten-free and and is a complete protein, as in it contains all the essential amino acids required by the body to grow and repair tissues. It is higher in amino acids and protein than any other grain and, being rich in iron, calcium, potassium, and copper, it can prevent diabetes, osteoporosis. childhood asthma, heart diseases, gallstones and migraines.