Quinoa
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 500 and 3,900 m altitude in the Andes. It can adapt to cold and drought. Plants grow with rainfalls between 250 mm to 1 500 mm. Once established plants can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. The soil needs to be well drained. Some varieties are suited to acid soils with a pH of 4.5, and others to alkaline soils with a pH of 9.5. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.
Also known as:
Chula, Huauzontle, Hupha, Inca rice, Inca wheat, Jupa, Kiuna, Kvinoja, Llircha, Lukhi, Mijo del peru quinia, Parca, Petty rice, Rajupa jaru, Quingua, Quinua, Quinwa, Suba, Supha, Yuyo blanco
Synonyms
- Chenopodium album L. subsp. quinoa (Willd.) Kuntze
- Chenopodium album var. quinoa (Willd.) Kuntze
- Chenopodium ccotot Toro Torrico
- Chenopodium ccuchi-huila Toro Torrico
- Chenopodium guinoa Krocker
- Chenopodium leucospermum Schrader
- ? Chenopodium nuttalliae Saff.
- and several varieties
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable
Where does Quinoa grow?
Found in: Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Britain, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Europe, France, India, Iran, Mexico, North America, Peru, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, United States
Notes: There are about 100-150-250 Chenopodium species. They are mostly in temperate regions. It suits the high altitude tropics. The protein is good quality because of its amino acid balance. It has 2-6% more protein and better amino acid balance than wheat. The saponins in the skin protect it from insects. Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Status: It is a cultivated food crop. It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Growing Quinoa
Cultivation: Seed germinate whenever conditions are suitable. Seeds are scattered. Rates or 15-20 kg of seed per hectare are used. Normally a range of varieties are mixed to allow for variations in conditions.
Edible Uses: The seed is used for soups and stews. They can be puffed or eaten as a side dish like rice. The seeds can be eaten or ground into flour. Young leaves can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Sprouted seeds are used in salads. The flower clusters are steamed like broccoli. They can be mixed with cheese, dipped in egg batter and fried. Many varieties contain saponins which give them a bitter taste. The outside skin is removed to get rid of these saponins.
Production: A life cycle varies between 120-240 days. Plants are harvested when mature then allowed to lie for 30-45 days before threshing. Yields of 400-1 200 kg per hectare occur.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 48 | 5 | 4 | 1800 | 100 | - | 85 |
| Seeds | 347 | 12 | 7 | - | - | - | 12 |
Quinoa Photos
References
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