Ingredient Spotlight: Quinoa

Quinoa. No, not “Kin-wah” or “Queen-wah,” but “KEEN-wah,” is commonly thought of as a cereal-grain. But here’s the shocker . . . quinoa is actually not a grain at all but rather a seed originally from Central America that is cooked and prepared like a grain! We love this gluten-free, grain-like seed, as it is full of fiber, protein, and an abundance of nutrients, so naturally, we had to make it a part of our Chef Soraya plant-based macro bowls. This pseudo-grain is so super, that NASA scientists have considered it to be a suitable crop to grow in outer space due to its high nutrient content and easy growing capabilities.                                    Now that’s out of this world cool!

Nutritional Benefits

Per cup, cooked quinoa contains 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and a high amount of manganese, magnesium, folate, iron, and other important vitamins and minerals. Additionally, quinoa contains plant antioxidants called flavonoids, which have shown to offer various health benefits. Quercetin and kaempferol, are two flavonoids that are found in high amounts in quinoa, which are important molecules that have shown to contain anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-depressant effects. The low-glycemic aspect of quinoa also makes this pseudo-grain a suitable option for diabetics, as it will not spike blood sugar.

The Perfect Addition To Our Macro Bowls

Quinoa is easy to make over a stovetop and comes in white, black and red varieties that are all beautiful and nutritious. Our quinoa is of superior quality, as we source our white quinoa from small organic farmers in Bolivia, where quinoa has been a native crop for centuries.

Like beans and rice, quinoa is incredibly versatile and its nutty-flavor is a wonderful compliment to the beans, rice, and flavorful spices in our bowls. While we encourage you to experiment with making your own quinoa, when you don’t feel like cooking, you can make a Chef Soraya Bowl & taste the subtle nutty flavor of the superfood named quinoa!