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!!
HI Rebecca – thanks for the info will be off to city tomorrow to get some quinoa
Could you please advise me as to where in Melbourne I could buy
Quinoa seed.
Try your local organic supermarket or health food store.
I can buy quinoa to eat in Melbourne but I really want to buy the seeds to grow it. I’ve searched the web unsuccessfully. Any clues?
It seems like quinoa isn’t currently grown in Australia so getting seeds could be difficult.
I suggest asking your local garden centre as they should be able to tell if it’s available and they could possibly order it in for you.
If you do manage to find it, here is some info on how to grow quinoa.
Here’s some more info on quinoa and how to cook it:
Food By Jessica
All of these sites mentioned above are selling quinoa that is not from eucador, but bolivia etc.
if you do a search on naturalnews.com you will see why it is important that quinoa is from eucador and not other sources.
“Is all quinoa the same?
No, only quinoa grown in Ecuador by Inca Organics is cleaned by the unique washing method and not polished. Inca Organics quinoa is, therefore, the only whole grain quinoa on the market in the US, England and Australia. All other quinoa is polished to remove the bitter taste; but this polishing also removes many of the vital nutrients and makes it a refined grain.”
Ken.
cool stuff i hope i get to read more updates
How about Ballarat in Victoria. Do you know any outlets?
Hey Jeff if Safeway and Coles sell it down here in suburbia surely they should sell it up there in Ballarat. You have a Go-Vita shop up there, try them. Good luck its a great grain.
If you check out Eden Seeds,they sell the seeds. I am going to give it a go next Spring. Happy gardening!
I bought some today at woolworths.
Which woolworths did you purchase this from?
Has anyone found information on how to propogate this/and grow this?
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I have bought some quinoa in our local woolworths and they had quite a few organic varieties – macro wholefoods market brand. Tried it last night instead of rice/pasta with a casserole and even my fussy eater enjoyed it. Had some over so popped some in my suop for lunch today.