The quinoa is a food plant which was extensively cultivated in the Andean region by pre-Columbian cultures some 5 000 years ago and was used in the diet of the settlers both of the inter-Andean valleys, which are very cold high areas, and of the high plateaus. After maize, it has occupied the most prominent place among Andean grains.
At present, it continues to be grown in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Its marginalization began with the introduction of cereals such as barley and wheat, which eventually replaced it. The reduction in its cultivated area in the Andean countries is also due to technical, economic and social reasons. Harvesting and threshing, which in the majority of cases are done by hand, take a great many days and the grain requires a process to remove its bitter ingredients before consumption. The prices received by farmers often do not justify their labour. Our quinoa range is certified fair trade by the SPP system (Símbolo de los Pequeños Productores).
All the traditional varieties contain saponins in a greater or lesser quantity, which give the grain a bitter flavour However, varieties with a low saponin content do exist, for example Blanca de Junin as do some which are almost free of saponin, such as Sajama and Nariño. The variety of our white quinoa is Sajama and Junin, small grain, for this reason as a better taste that quinoa real. Some quinoa varieties, such as Sajama, Cheweca, Kamiri, and Blanca de Junín, are sweet, requiring only a simple cleaning before use.
Ingredients:
Sweet white quinoa, Sajama and Junin varieties
Nutritional information per 100g:
Energy - 1596kJ/378kcal
Fat - 6.8g
of which saturated - 0.7g
Carbohydrate - 64.4g
of which sugars - 2.8g
Protein - 14.7g
Salt - 0.2g
For Bulk quantities over 50+ kgs or more of high-quality organic and natural foods, herbs and ingredients, please contact our wholesale department at orders@zoyashop.gr
