| Quinoa grains are oval and about 2-3mm in diameter. | | | | of the sapinins that coat the grains. This makes |
| When they are cooked they double in size and a | | | | preparing quinoa very simple. I still rinse mine briefly |
| germ or tail appears around each grain. The standard | | | | before cooking but I,m not sure that is necessary |
| colour is a sort of creamy yellow although more | | | | now as most suppliers pre-wash their grains in the |
| recently Red and black quinoa have become available. | | | | factory. |
| You can buy it over the counter here in the UK at | | | | The Grain form is by far the most versatile type. It |
| most Supermarkets and health food stores. It is | | | | can be used as a rice or cous cous substitute for |
| usually supplied in 500gm packs or boxes similar to | | | | curries and salads. You can also include it in baking |
| the way rice and cous cous is packed. You can also | | | | recipes for scones and cookies. It can be served |
| buy quinoa flour and flakes. At time of writing (May | | | | after the normal cooking time of 12 - 15 minutes and |
| 2008) you can only buy these types online but that | | | | the quinoa will be quite soft. But you can also cook it |
| will change as it gains popularity. | | | | for only 7 - 8 minutes and it retains a very pleasant |
| I have also seen it available in shops in France and | | | | crunchy texture. |
| Germany. In the United states it is readily available | | | | As more and more cooks experiment with this |
| and you can even buy it in bulk. | | | | rediscovered superfood I'm sure that we will learn of |
| The grains are usually pre-washed to remove most | | | | new and exciting recipes. |