Quinoa

Quinoa is a small, round food that looks like a grain. It comes from a plant that grows high up in the mountains of South America. People have eaten quinoa for thousands of years. It is full of protein and is very good for your body.

Where Quinoa Grows

Quinoa grows best in the Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia. The plants can handle cold weather and dry soil. They grow tall with colorful tops that hold the seeds. Farmers harvest the seeds and wash them before cooking. Today, quinoa is grown in many other countries too.

How People Eat Quinoa

Quinoa tastes a little bit nutty and has a soft, fluffy feel when cooked. People add it to salads, soups, and bowls with vegetables. It can come in white, red, or black colors. Some people eat it for breakfast with fruit and honey. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook.

Fun Facts

• The Inca people called quinoa the 'mother grain' because it was so important.
• Quinoa is actually a seed, not a true grain like wheat or rice.
• The United Nations named 2013 the International Year of Quinoa.

Did You Know?

Quinoa has all the building blocks of protein your body needs, which is rare for a plant food.