Organic Quinoa
Quinoa is a grain crop which originated from South America. It is a staple food in Peru and Bolivia where it is used instead of potato or maize. It is highly nutritious, so much so that the United Nations has declared it a ’super crop’. It is very high in protein and contains essential amino acids which are not found in wheat or rice. It is also high in vitamins such as magnesium and iron. It is becoming more popular in Australia due to these reasons, along with the fact that it is high in dietary fibre and is gluten free.
Organic quinoa is available in Australia from Inca Organics. As reported by Treehugger:
Inca Organics believe their organic Quinoa to be superior to most others, because of the fair trade manner, with which they deal with their farmers, and particularly due to the method they use for removal and disposal of the saponin.
How To Cook Quinoa
Quinoa is easy to prepare and can be used as a substitute for rice or couscous. Most quinoa, which you will find in your supermarket or health food store, will have already have had the saponin (it’s bitter coating) removed so all you’ll need to do is cook it with the same absorption method as you would use to cook rice. The simplest way to prepare quinoa is to cook it in a rice cooker.
Once cooked you can add vegetables and seasonings or serve it with a casserole or stew.
Quinoa is often also eaten for breakfast as you would eat corn flakes or you can have it cooked with honey, nuts, and milk much in the same way as you’d eat oatmeal.
Quinoa can also be used in products in place of or in addition to wheat flour. An example of this is organic pasta with quinoa.
Quinoa is easy to use and is a healthy alternative to rice, potato, and wheat products. It is a nutritious addition to any diet and it’s mild, nutty flavour means most people will be happy to eat it.
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I would like to know where I can purchase some. I live in Mildura. Vic. I like the information that you have on the site. But as there is little known about this grain at the moment (from my perspective) I would like to try using it, and to do that I need to locate a store/shed/something to buy it from.
I would think most organic supermarkets would stock organic quinoa but you could also tried a health food store.
In Mildura you could try:
Organics on Eleventh
200 11th Street
Mildura Victoria
Where do you buy it in Sydney?
In Sydney you can get it online at goodness.com.au or at The Honest to Goodness market stall at Orange Grove Organic Food Markets Leichhardt on Saturdays or Frenchs Forest organic food markets on Sundays. The costs are 1kg $8.90 or $6.50 for 600g. We distribute quinoa Australia wide and have several other gluten-free grains also.
I can also recommend Honest to Goodness. I have been buying there food for years. They are so pleasant to deal with and the order arrives promptly! They have a huge selection of organic nuts, organic dried fruit, organic seeds and organic grains and organic flours and loads more stuff. Their range is so extensive it is hard to believe that these foods even exist let along are available to us all!! Check them out - you wont be disappointed!!!
Hi I am also interested in trying Quinoa Pasta, I live n Perth and have visited several health food stores who look blankly at me. Can you recommend a store to buy Quinoa pasta in Perth (south of the river if possible)
Thanks n regards
Leonie Williams
Leonie, have you tried Manna Wholefoods? I haven’t been there for ages but I’m sure they used to have it.
Manna Wholefoods
274 South Terrace
South Fremantle
You can buy organic quinoa on-line from The Source Real Food Store: http://www.thesourcerealfoodstore.com.au + organic pastas & many many other organic foods, delivered door-to-door with Australia Post. They’re honets, reliable & quick to deliver.
are you based in perth?
Who? Buy Organic or the Source Real Food Store? We, Buy Organic, are just online.
I have just bought some quinoa at the local weigh and pay shop l think they have shops all over the place
loverly information, is it available in the Hobart area. tas
Can anyone tell me about the storage life of Quinoa?
Quinoa should last quite a long time (as with rice) when stored in a dry place but just check the used by date on the package to be sure.
Does anyone know where I can buy quinoa in Adelaide?
I have just bought some Quinoa from Wilsons Organics in ADELAIDE which is on Gouger Street on the opposite side to the markets. You buy it by the kilo and I think I paid about $10 per kilo. Cant wait to try it!!