Types Of Quinoa: Benefits And Properties Of Each Type

For grain lovers, today I will introduce you to quinoa, one of the different species of grains that has won the palate of many diners for its rich flavor and for being a grain that can be prepared in different ways. In addition, quinoa is very nutritious and has great benefits for your body.

You can also enjoy the different types of quinoa that there are and the different flavors that each of them have, but first we will know what quinoa is and everything relevant to it and then mention the types of quinoa.

Mainly (Chenopodium quinoa Wild) is its scientific name and it is also known as the golden grain of the Andes, it has great nutritional value and it has been consumed in Latin America, especially in the Andean area for more than 7000 years.

Lately, there has been talk of quinoa, and its daily consumption in different homes around the world, including the FAO (United Nations Food Organization) in 2013 was considered the International Year of Quinoa.

And this is because quinoa is the vegetable that has more amino acids than any other and not only that, it is also full of vitamins and minerals that make it unique, as well as being a vegetable that is able to withstand different climatic environments. Many have cataloged it as the grain that will remove hunger from the world.

Quinoa is a word from the Quechua language that means “mother grain”, for the time of the Incas, quinoa was considered a sacred food and was used for medicinal purposes. Although this is a seed, it is considered a pseudocereal and is consumed just like other cereals.

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What properties does quinoa and all its types have?

Quinoa is a seed, but its characteristics mean that it is consumed like a cereal, one of the properties of quinoa is to provide the human body with a high value of calories in the form of hydrates, this seed provides about 16 g of protein for each 100 g of quinoa and offers around 6 g of fat in the same amount of food.

If quinoa is compared with other cereals, it has more proteins and fats , in addition to hydrating the body. Also, we must highlight its high fiber content, since it can get about 15 g of fibers for every 100 g of quinoa.

Regarding the micronutrients of quinoa, there are: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc among the minerals, it also offers vitamins such as the B complex in respectable amounts and vitamin E with function. antioxidant.

What are the benefits of quinoa types?

Eating quinoa brings great benefit to your body so you should not miss the opportunity to know what benefits this grain brings to our body. Some of the benefits of quinoa that you will get if you consume it daily are the following:

Lose weight by eating healthy

Due to its high fiber content and great protein content, it has a lower gluten index, which is ideal for those who suffer from diabetes or for those who want to lose weight but who suffer a lot, not knowing what to eat to achieve it, this food is perfect for them.

Control cholesterol levels

Another great benefit of quinoa is that it helps control blood cholesterol because its fiber and unsaturated lipids alleviate the lipid profile in the body . In addition to helping to reintegrate constipation due to its high content of insoluble fiber, and can be used by vegetarians for the proteins they contain.

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Antioxidant

The antioxidant found in quinoa is flavonoids, which purifies the body helping to improve human health.

Athletes’ food

Also for people who practice sports this can be a very beneficial food because it resembles oats due to the presence of minerals, complex hydrates and proteins, as we have already shown initially.

For celiac people

Some benefits of quinoa is that it is used as a cereal, which is very convenient for people with celiac disease (with digestive problems), since it does not have gluten and they will not have to suffer from constipation.

Helps strengthen hair

If you suffer because your hair lacks softness and life, this food will give you the benefits you want for your hair because it has a combination of nutrients that helps to strengthen and soften whipped hair. It can be applied as a natural mask, mixing the boiled seeds with a little olive oil. However, see your dermatologist first.

Take care of your body

If you include this pseudocereal in your daily diet it will help you fight sagging skin. Due to its high protein and vitamin content, it will improve muscles and thus prevent blemishes such as cellulite and stretch marks.

Hydrated skin

As it has many proteins, quinoa is perfect for dry piles since it hydrates them a lot. You can apply it in the form of a mask by following these steps: boil the grains in a little milk for about 15 minutes then let it cool, and then you will spread it on your face for half an hour.

Helps reduce migraines

For people who suffer from headaches, quinoa has a high level of magnesium, which is a mineral that helps relax blood vessels, reducing blood pressure, which means that it can fight migraines.

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Natural stress reliever

Drinks made with quinoa grains have been created to help improve stress. In general, they are indicated to take them at night because that is when one goes to rest and the body relaxes and in this way the drink has a better effect on the body.

What nutrients do the types of quinoa have?

If by chance you have wondered how many nutrients a cup of quinoa has, here we show you the approximate amount of 185g, which is equivalent to one cup.

• 8 g of protein.
• 5 g of fiber.
• 58% manganese.
• 28% phosphorus.
• 19% folate.
• 18% copper.
• 15% iron.
• 13% zinc.
• 9% potassium.
• More than 10% of the RDA for vitamins B1, B2 and B6.
• Minimal amounts of calcium, vitamin B3 niacin and vitamin E.
• Omega-3 fatty acids.

It should be noted that:

Quinoa is unmodified , gluten-free and grown organically. Scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration “NASA” have wanted to make it an appropriate crop to grow in outer space, and this is for its nutrients, for simplicity of use and ease of growth.

How can we prepare all types of quinoa?

If you want to cook quinoa but it is the first time you are using it, we will tell you how you should cook quinoa so that you can enjoy a rich and balanced meal. These steps are for 4 people but if more people live in your family, just double the amount.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of organic quinoa
• 2 cups of water
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Preparation

Wash the quinoa well in a container until the water runs clear. Then you must drain it and transfer it to a large or medium pot. So that later you add water, salt and place on the fire. Cover it, reduce the heat and cook over low heat until the water boils and is consumed about 20 centimeters. Set aside for about 5 minutes, uncover the pot, and remove any floating debris with a fork.

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Tips and Tricks for Cooking Quinoa

To emphasize the flavor, use vegetable soup instead of water to cook the quinoa.

Toast the quinoa, before cooking, in a skillet for 3 to 4 minutes to add more depth to its flavor.

Sprinkle hot soy milk over cooked quinoa and top with nuts and fruit to enjoy as a cereal for a delicious breakfast.

For potato and pasta salads, top with quinoa cooked with chopped vegetables, vinegar, olive oil and herbs.

Quinoa can be stored in freezers and will last up to 2 months in storage

Cooking recipes with quinoa

There are a wide variety of recipes for quinoa that you can prepare so that you do not get bored of it and thus enjoy them with different flavors. Some of the recipes with quinoa may be these that we present but you should find out how to make them since we will only mention them to give you an idea.

• Chicken, quinoa and bud salad
• Quinoa soup with clams
• Fresh quinoa salad
• Quinoa medallions
• Quinoa, vegetables and egg bowl
• Quinoa soup with beans and carrots
• Quinoa paella

Do the different types of quinoa make you fat?

As we already mentioned, quinoa helps you stay in good shape , however that does not mean that you will not gain weight since that will depend on you, what you decide to eat in addition to the quinoa grain. This seed alone offers several qualities that make it a good choice for dieting.

Since a serving of this cereal offers about 10% of vitamins and minerals that the body should receive daily. In addition to the source of protein and fiber that quinoa has, it is perfect for reducing body fat, but as I already told you, quinoa does not make you fat if you eat it alone in your dietary routine.

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Process from Quinoa seed to Quinoa flour

To carry out the process from quinoa seed to quinoa flour is very easy, it consists of roasting the grain so that it can then be ground to produce the flour . When quinoa is crushed and made into flour, the bakeries use it because it has proven to be a resistant and favorable dough in the absorption of water.

Can I buy Quinoa online?

If you cannot find quinoa in your country or city, you can easily go to the different websites that offer you to buy quinoa on the internet, making life less complicated. You have to take into account the different prices and delivery times that vary according to the country or city and choose the most economical one.

1. Amazon.com.

In Amazon you can buy quinoa and the preparations that contain it. The form of payment is by credit card. But unfortunately this site is only for Spain and the United States. So if you do not belong to these countries it is better that you do not even take it into account.

2. E-Bay.

Its form of payment is by credit card and with Pay-pal you can get the quinoa and its preparations but it is also available for Spain and the United States, however it has a Latin American version called MercadoLibre.

3. Mercadolibre.com.

For Latin Americans you can get the quinoa using credit card, Pay-pal, bank deposits and transfers, although not in all countries. It is a subsidiary of ebay.com (they are the owners of mercadolibre), it is a reliable site.

Can I buy quinoa in stores near my town?

Of course, you can buy quinoa and its different types in stores specialized in natural foods, located in almost all cities. Depending on each of the stores, you can buy quinoas ready to prepare at home. These types of stores are numerous, which indicates that you can find it in small cities.

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What are the presentations of the types of quinoa?

• Quinoa seeds: it is the most natural way to buy it and it comes in large quantities which can yield enough for a large family.
• Organic quinoa. In e-Bay they have several options for this product
• Quinoa capsules.
• Products with quinoa: In this case the options are many, for all tastes.

What types of Quinoa do I get in the market?

Finally we come to the part of the types of quinoa that exist, we have been talking about them but we have not stopped at any, we talk in a general way about the benefits that this brings for you, among other qualities. But now I will not only tell you the types of quinoa that there are but also other guidelines in relation to it.

Quinoa plants are classified based on the climatic conditions in which they are grown . There are more than 120 species and more than 1800 varieties available depending on where they are grown and the color of the seed also varies . There are black, gray, pink, red, yellow, green, orange, or purple.

Although traditionally the types of quinoa are usually red, black and white or ivory based on the profile of the United States. There are two types of quinoa that are main for their variety, the traditional one that is pale ivory in color and the dark red one called Inca red quinoa.

It is mentioned that the types of quinoa that are pigmented have antioxidant capacity and that the flavor varies depending on the color, the darker seeds taste like brown rice, while the white seeds taste like white rice.

White quinoa

White quinoa belongs to the family of quinoas with a difference in color, it is generally the most common among all, its flavor is much more palatable than the other species and it is more used in food recipes. You can find it in any quinoa sales supply.

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Red quinoa

The red quinoa was very noticeable among the Inca warriors. They ate it in a combination of balls of lard and red quinoa with which they felt full of energy and strength. You can also buy this variety of quinoa in supermarkets.

Black quinoa

You will also love black quinoa, this variety has an earthy but somewhat sweet flavor, although it is not very popular like white quinoa, many buy it for its flavor and color that can be combined with the presentations of schist dishes. These are the types of quinoa that are mentioned the most and that are consumed worldwide.

How to consume quinoa to obtain its nutrients?

Salad

You can use the quinoa in the salad in two ways: adding the seed itself or in the form of flour, although it sounds a bit strange this is ideal in salads you just have to try new ways of making food.

With fruit or milk

As we have already mentioned, quinoa grains can be eaten for breakfast because it is similar to a cereal, you can accompany it with milk, water or fruits and thus your body will be more nourished

Enrich soups

When you are preparing soups just pour in a little quinoa grain and it will give it a different taste. You can also blend the quinoa with the soup ingredients, creating a smooth cream.

To substitute for wheat flour

Quinoa flour can be used to prepare numerous recipes such as cakes, pasta, bread, cookies among others. By supplanting wheat flour for quinoa, you will be adding several nutrients that wheat flour does not have, such as protein, calcium, iron and omega3 fatty acids.

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With yogurt

If you add quinoa to yogurt you will be enriching it with more calcium and protein, as well as fiber, making it an excellent ally in weight loss. It is recommended to eat it in snacks and between meals, mixing a serving of low-fat yogurt (160 ml) plus a tablespoon of quinoa will equal about 141 calories.

Contraindications of Quinoa for regular consumption

There are no contradictions for the consumption of quinoa if it is done in adequate amounts such as two tablespoons per day. For those who make diets it is recommended that they do not exceed it because it is a food that contains many calories that could break the diet you are eating.

What about quinoa leaves?

The quinoa plant is full of leaves that usually when the harvest is collected, they serve as food for the animals, however it is possible that its leaves can be eaten by humans, you can consume it in salads for example.

Quinoa grain composition (100g)

Compared to wheat and oats, quinoa contains

• 336 calories
• 3 carbohydrates
• 1 protein
• 1 of Lipids
• 8 Water
• Phosphorus 302 (mg)
• Calcium 107 (mg)
• Calcium 107 (mg)
• 8 Fiber (g)
• 2 Iron (mg)
• Thiamine 5 (mg)
• Niacin 2 (mg)
• Riboflavin 0.3 (mg)
• 1 Ascorbic Acid (mg)

Medicinal Properties of the types of Quinoa

Quinoa is also used as a remedy because it has medicinal properties. The application of quinoa in traditional medicines has been known since ancient times. The leaves, the stem, and the grain themselves can be used to prepare medicines.

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Quinoa Stem and Leaves

The stem and leaves of the quinoa should be cooked with oil, vinegar and pepper, this will provide more blood, in the same way if the leaves are cooked only with vinegar and then gargled, or a poultice is placed, the throat is deflated and tonsils are cured .

When cooking the leaves with honey or sugar and a touch of cinnamon or vanilla it will serve as a purifier, removing all stomach pain and if you have phlegm you can also take this drink. On the other hand, you can also use it as a purgative.

Fresh Quinoa Leaves

Preparing the young leaves of quinoa as a soup will help cure scurvy and other illnesses or diseases caused by lack of some vitamin in the body. It is a remedy that has been tested against anthrax, herpes, hives, and other skin conditions.

Quinoa grain

The quinoa grain has various ways of use to combat liver diseases , angina and cystitis. It is a great reliever for tooth pain and has the condition of being anti-inflammatory and healing, so plasters (piece of skin or cloth to apply a mixture) of black quinoa are applied, combined with some other herbs, to heal the broken bones