Quinoa is a grain crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudo-cereal plant because it actually belongs to the Lobodaceae family (to which spinach and beets also belong) and not to the Cereal family (like wheat) and is one of the plants with high nutritional value.
The name "Quinoa" is derived from the Spanish spelling of the name of the Quechua Indian people "Kinwa" or "Qin-wah". As a crop, it was first cultivated in the Andean region of Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
The nutritional composition is very good compared to the main cereals. Quinoa seeds contain essential amino acids such as lysine and high amounts of calcium, phosphorus and iron. After harvesting, the beans must be processed to remove the coating containing bitter-tasting saponins. Quinoa seeds are cooked in much the same way as rice and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Quinoa leaves are eaten as a leafy vegetable and are very similar to amaranth, but their commercial availability is limited.
Health Benefits:
In the modern era, quinoa is especially valued for its nutritional value, its protein content being very high (14% by mass), although not higher than most legumes. Nutritional ratings for quinoa indicate that it is a source of complete protein. In addition, it is a good source of fiber and phosphorus, as well as high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is also a source of calcium, so it is useful for vegans and people with lactose intolerance. Quinoa is gluten-free and easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is considered suitable as a crop to sustain the lives of crews in NASA's space environmental systems.
Quinoa is the only natural product that contains all eight essential amino acids for the human body. It is also a good source of vitamins from group B and E. The composition of quinoa contains a variety of substances useful for the body, which makes it a suitable food for pregnant women and small children.
Quinoa improves the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, as it has a beneficial effect on digestion processes and stimulates metabolism. The high protein content makes quinoa a mandatory part of the menu for all active sportsmen.
Where to buy quinoa?
You can find white, red and black quinoa in "Zdravnitza".
You can place your order online. We deliver our products to products in Bulgaria, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Israel and Thailand.
You can also buy quinoa products on the local stores of "Zdravnitza":
Health store "Zdravnitza"
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
23 Neofit Rilski str.
Health store "Zdravnitza"
1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
74 Odrin str.