Quinoa: Super food of the future

Originated in the Andean region of South America and considered as “the mother of the grains” by the Incas, quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains in the whole world. It has an almost perfect amino acid composition and contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B, magnesium, iron, and lysine (which helps in the development of the brain), it is low in sodium and doesn’t contain cholesterol.

Quinoa is gluten free and  easy to digest. What's more important is that this grain contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat.

Its leaves are also eaten as a vegetable. Quinoa has a nutty flavor; there are 3 types (black, red and white). The tri-color (mix of red, black and white grains) are also becoming quite popular.

The principal benefits of quinoa is that it can prevent breast cancer, osteoporosis, and heart diseases. It’s even more important for the kids because the quinoa helps them in their growth development, sustains energy and helps to prevent obesity.

Nowadays, it is being considered as an important food ingredient by NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS).

How can it be used? in pastas, soups, puffed cereals, side dishes and more!

Simply fruit juice with maca...

Trying to up my energy level with 2 tsp of maca powder this time. I also added some blueberries for an extra boost of antioxidants. Then the usual assorted range of fruits like starfruits, oranges and some raw honey. Will try it the next time with organic coconut palm sugar which has a lower glycemic index than honey.

Fruits (incl. blueberries) + 2 tsp of maca powder

My husband casually commented that he felt slightly more energetic  i.e. not so sleepy in the afternoon after drinking this smoothie in the morning.

So why maca?

I was reading an online article the other day on maca, which was published on 23 Nov 2010 by El Comerio, Peru's dailies. Apparently, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N) awarded 2nd place to the research conducted by specialist Gustavo Gonzales Rengifo the from Peruana Cayetano Heredia University (Peru), entitled "Maca: From Lost Inca Food to Andean Miracle".


Mr Gonzales conducted a study on people between the ages of 35 and 75 in the region of Junin, Peru. 80% of the residents there consume maca daily. The results, according to him, were unquestionable. In his words, paraphrased and translated to English," Those who have been consuming maca are healthier, showing no mental nor physical deterioration, it was like they have not aged at all." Talking about anti-aging health supplements :-) Very appropriate for the highly strung society we live in.


Maca is a tuber native to Peru. It grows wild in the Andes mountain ranges in Peru for over thousands of years, at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level, withstanding extreme climate conditions.

Peruvian maca root

Many names have been given to it, 'Peruvian ginseng', Peruvian Viagra", etc. as the popular belief is that it is able to increase one's sexual urges and fertility rates. I'm not sure about the sexual urges part as I think every individual's body would respond differently  but this I would say, honestly, I do feel more energetic and alert after consuming the tsp of maca powder every day. Even Mr Gonzales, the specialist, claimed that 'maca does not change the hormonal functions of men/women in any way' so, no promises when it comes to what goes on in the bedroom department.

The interesting history behind maca:

When the Spaniards conquered the area of the Andes mountains centuries ago, their  sex drive started to diminish after living there for some time due to the high altitudes.  Women found it hard to conceive and men suffered from lack of libido.

However, to their amazement, they saw that the local people, llamas and other animals had no trouble with their libido and were reproducing normally. They found out that their secret was in a root that grew only in the high mountains. It was an important part of the diet (food as well as medicinal supplement) and commerce of the local people at that time.

The Spaniards wasted no time in starting to eat this maca and feed it to their livestock. Libido was restored to the men; the women's fertility issues were resolved and the animal reproduced normally. Tons of maca were collected as tribute and shipped back to the kings of Spain as a payment of tax. A happy ending for all!

The saponin content in quinoa: Healthy or toxic?

In its natural state quinoa has a coating of saponins, which gives it a bitter taste. This bitterness can have beneficial effects in terms of cultivation, as it is a crop that is relatively untouched by birds and thus requires minimal protection. The presence of saponin is obvious by the production of a soapy looking "suds". This also represents the major antinutritional factor found in the grain. Fortunately, most of these saponins are concentrated in the outer layers of the grain (seed coat, and a cuticle-like layer) which facilitates their removal industrially by washing the grains with water.


You might be glad to know that our Nature's Superfoods organic quinoa grains have been pre-washed to remove the saponin coating before being packed for shipment. Hence, a light rinse of the grains between 5-10 seconds under running water will be sufficient before you cook the grains. No soaking required.

The saponin content in quinoa can be mildly toxic, as can be the oxalic acid content found in the leaves of all of the chenopodium family. Because of their differential toxicity to various organisms saponins have been investigated as potent natural insecticides which would have no adverse effects on higher animals and man. However, the risks associated with quinoa are minimal provided that it is pre-washed and the leaves are not eaten in excess.

Other interest in saponins is in their antibiotic, fungi static and pharmacological properties.

In South America the saponin which is removed from the quinoa is used as detergent for washing clothes and as an antiseptic to promote healing of skin injuries.