Kinoa

Quinoa is an annual plant that prefers to grow in the warm regions of South America. Despite the short lifespan, the plant can reach a height of one and a half or even 2 meters. It has a tall stem with round, light green leaves. The fruits are collected in large clusters, and the grains resemble buckwheat in shape. There are several types of quinoa: beige plant, red and black. Most of all, the plant is distributed at high altitudes, starting from 3000 meters above sea level. It prefers difficult climatic conditions and mountain slopes, and its homeland is considered to be the shore of Lake Titicaca, the largest of the high mountain lakes.

The plant has been known for a very long time, in particular, it was part of the diet of the Indians of South America. Even the ancient Incas used it in everyday dishes along with potatoes and corn. Quinoa could even replace bread or rice in times of poor harvests. Much later, this amazing plant began to be artificially grown in the mountains. With the approval of the Dalai Lama, it began to be cultivated in Tibet. Also, the plant takes root well on the seashore or in places where the jungle used to be. ^[1].

More than 90% of the plant that is grown in Peru and Bolivia is sent to the United States of America, and the rest goes mainly to European countries. It is highly valued, among other things, due to its purity and naturalness. When growing it, it is forbidden to use genetically modified organisms, even to help the plant fight pests or increase yields.

Despite its taste and uses, quinoa is not actually a grain. ^[2]. Vegetables are considered its closest relatives, in particular, the familiar beets. Flour is made from the seeds of this amazing plant, and the leaves and stems are often used instead of vegetables.

How to choose

Like any other grain crop, quinoa seeds are sold in packaged form or by weight. If you have no choice and have to buy packaged goods, be sure to opt for packages that you can see the contents of. A quality product should be presented without impurities, and also be uniform in size, texture and color. As for the product by weight, it must be dry, clean and uniform in color.

The purchased product must be placed in a glass container, carefully closed with a lid and placed in a cool dark place. It is best to buy this cereal in specialized online stores, because. it is quite difficult to find it in supermarkets, especially of good quality.

Use in cooking

Quinoa is readily used by vegetarians who prepare first courses and side dishes from it. To properly cook quinoa, you need to remember a few basic rules:

1. Rinse the product well to get rid of the bitter taste of quinoa.
2. Closely watch the time when you cook the product: the overcooked quinoa quickly deoxidizes.
3. The prepared porridge must be well mixed so that it does not stick together.

When cooked, this plant looks like brown rice, and the rules for cooking it are about the same: for 1 part quinoa, you need to use 2 parts of water, and then cook over low heat for about 20 minutes until the liquid is completely absorbed.

Quinoa is used as a side dish and goes well with fish, poultry, meat and vegetables. It is actively used for cooking first courses, replacing cereals with it. Some peoples use it to create sweets by adding fruits or honey. In general, the advice for choosing quinoa dishes is very simple: if rice would suit you in this dish, then this plant will do.

To get the most out of a plant, you can try sprouting it. In this form, it increases the content of useful vitamins, it also contributes to good digestion. A huge difference from other cereals is that it takes only 2 to 4 hours to germinate it. You can then use it in quinoa salads or make quinoa porridge.

Flour, which is obtained from grains, is used for baking and the production of any dough products, including pasta. ^[3]. If you add water and sugar to your taste in quinoa, you get a soft drink that perfectly quenches your thirst. In addition, oil is obtained from seeds, which is somewhat reminiscent of walnut oil.

The Incas and Aztecs used quinoa so frequently in cooking that there are hundreds of recipes made from it. Due to its ubiquity, mild flavor and nutritional value, quinoa has been used as a side dish throughout the world, replacing many foods with it. Now quinoa in cooking is mainly used to create national dishes, of which there are also a lot. For example, the Spaniards use this plant instead of rice in order to cook their national pride – paella. In Italy, boiled grains are used as cereals, spices, olive oil and tomatoes are added to them. In Greece, they make quinoa with vegetables, adding tomatoes, cheeses and spices to the grains.

In all countries, quinoa is widely used for stuffing poultry, for adding to first courses or as an addition to salads. The pastry, which is made from quinoa grain flour, has a special fluffiness and a pleasant texture.

Calorie and chemical composition

There are only 100 kcal per 120 grams of the finished dish, and it also has a low glycemic index. Nutritionists consider it an ideal dish for those who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. The main benefit of quinoa is that it contains a very large amount of vegetable protein, which is very easily and quickly digested. It is for this reason that these grains are readily used by vegetarians in almost all dishes, and it is also recommended for children, pregnant women and people with intellectual or physical work.

Due to the high concentration of lysine in the product, the body can better absorb calcium, which enters the body at about the same time. In addition, lysine stimulates wound healing and helps bone formation. The high fiber content (2,8 g per 100 g) helps in the fight against diabetes and excess weight, and also helps those who have been diagnosed with heart disease.

Fiber helps the body get rid of harmful substances and toxins, removes bad cholesterol from the body and stimulates digestion. It is believed that daily fiber intake significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer. A high percentage of phosphorus content allows you to replace many types of fish with this plant.

How to germinate quinoa

For germination, you need to use no more than 110 g of grain, this can be done in several stages:

1. Rinse the grains well (this will remove the bitter taste of the cereal) and then dry well.

• pour the grains with cold water so that it covers them completely;
• leave for half an hour;
• drain and let them dry.

Then the procedure needs to be repeated, and the grains are washed every 8 hours for 48 hours.

2. Put a thin layer of grain on a baking sheet and send them to a dark place. Since they have to lie for a long time, cover them with a cloth so that dust or dirt does not get there. The temperature in the room should not be very high, but the cold will ruin the whole enterprise. Leave them for 12 hours.
3. After drying, the sprouts should be stored in the refrigerator in a carefully sealed container (preferably glass). Use them within 2 weeks, as they quickly start to spoil and all the benefits of quinoa are quickly lost.

Application for weight loss

This plant is excellent for weight loss. Despite the high calorie content of quinoa, it is actively used in diets. ^[6].

The fact is that the grains are digested for a very long time, providing a long-lasting satiety effect, so that the diet becomes more simple and painless.

This is the best way to make yourself a hearty and healthy breakfast. Quinoa is often used in a special gluten-free diet that has long been proven effective. Such a diet normalizes the functioning of the body and promotes good digestion. Due to the high percentage of protein, cereals can be used as part of protein diets.

Useful Properties

For the first time, the medicinal properties of this plant were discovered by people who used it daily. ^[7]. Then the beneficial effect of this culture on the cardiovascular system became noticeable, including as an effective fight against migraine. This is due to the fact that the magnesium contained in plants helps relieve vascular tension. ^[8].

In addition, quinoa is great for maintaining health at any age: for children it is useful as it stimulates bone growth, for older people it helps to get rid of arthritis. For this, it is important to consume it regularly, as well as to maintain a stable blood sugar level, which is very useful in diabetes. Quinoa prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases, and also supports the body in the fight against anemia.

Doctors recommend eating this plant for those who need bodily support, in particular, people after surgery or those who are struggling with a complex disease, such as cancer. Quinoa will be no less useful for those who daily give a lot of strength and energy to physically difficult or intense intellectual work.

Quinoa is also very beneficial for those with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular conditions. This plant contains a large amount of a substance called tryptophan, which stimulates the production of the hormone of joy, which means that this plant can really lift your mood. The absence of gluten in cereals allows you to add it to the diet even for people who are allergic to it. ^[9].

Quinoa is considered one of the most healthy cereals in the world.

The main advantage of this plant is that it has much more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than most other cereals. This means that it is healthier than rice, wheat, or any other grains. Nutritionists often compare quinoa to mother’s milk, as this grain is also almost completely digested.

Quinoa contains saponins, substances that, when consumed regularly, help the normal functioning of the pancreas, and also keep blood cholesterol levels under control. ^[10]. When taken through the blood, these substances are poisonous, but in the digestive tract they are normally absorbed and even have benefits. ^[11].

Used in cosmetics

In cosmetology, ground quinoa seeds are actively used, they are recommended to be added to masks and cellulite scrubs. They help to renew the skin, make it softer and more tender. Extracts and extracts from this plant are often used in professional cosmetics, as it is believed that the plant has a pronounced lifting effect.

Hazardous properties

If you have any kidney problems, you should consult your doctor before using this product. The fact is that the plant contains a large amount of protein and oxalates. Carefully include quinoa in your diet when it comes to the diet of a child or a breastfeeding woman.

Remember that you need to introduce it into the child’s diet very carefully. However, this rule applies not only to babies, but also to adults. Before you start actively using this useful plant, you need to either use it in small quantities, or consult a doctor. ^[12].

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