Quinoa is not a grass, but rather a pseudocereal botanically related to spinach and amaranth ( Amaranthus spp. ), and originated in the Andean region of northwestern South America. It was first used to feed livestock 5.2–7.0 thousand years ago, and for human consumption 3–4 thousand years ago in the Lake Titicaca basin of Peru and Bolivia.
Another common question is “Where does quinoa originate?”.
Quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa) growing in a field in the Bolivian Altiplano region. Quinoa is endemic to the Andes highlands and ranges from Colombia to northern Argentina to southern Chile. An ancient crop, the species is thought to have been independently domesticated multiple times throughout its range some 3,000–5,000 years ago.
Where does quinoa originate from?
Quinoa has a majestic history among one of the most powerful civilizations on the American continent. It originated with the Incas in the mountains of Bolivia, Chile and Peru. It’s been at the forefront in these regions for 5,000 years.
Where quinoa from?
Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is the seed of the Chenopodium quinoa plant. Botanically speaking, it’s not a grain. However, it’s often called a “pseudograin” because it’s similar in nutrients and eaten the same way as cereal grains (1). Quinoa was first grown for food 7,000 years ago in the Andes.
What is the history of quinoa?
Like many of the ancient grains, quinoa slipped into obscurity in 1532 with the arrival of the Spanish. Explorer Francisco Pizarro, in his resolve to destroy Incan culture, had quinoa fields destroyed. Only small amounts survived high in the mountains. That all changed in the 1970’s when quinoa was reintroduced to us in the modern world.
You could be wondering “What is quinoa used for?”
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa; / ˈkiːn. wɑː, kiˈnoʊ. ə /, from Quechua kinwa or kinuwa) is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is a herbaceous annual plant grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds; the seeds are rich in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and dietary minerals in amounts greater than in many grains.
Where is quinoa grown?
Quinoa is planted in Idaho where a variety developed and bred specifically for the high-altitude Snake River Plain is the largest planted variety in North America. Several countries within Europe have successfully grown quinoa on a commercial scale.
You may be thinking “Is quinoa domesticated twice?”
A second bottleneck may have occurred when quinoa was domesticated from its unknown but possible wild tetraploid form. It might have been domesticated twice: once in the high Andes and a second time in the Chilean and Argentinean lowlands.
Where does quinoa grow in Bolivia?
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa; (/ˈkiːnwɑː/ or /kɪˈnoʊ.ə/, from Quechua kinwa or kinuwa) is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is a herbaceous annual plant grown as a grain crop primarily for its edible seeds.
Why is 2013 the International Year of quinoa?
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the “International Year of Quinoa” in recognition of the ancestral practices of the Andean people, who have preserved it as a food for present and future generations, through knowledge and practices of living in harmony with nature.