Did you know that the UN declared 2013 the "International Year of Quinoa"? It seems like the nutty, nutritious grain is everywhere these days, and the United Nations wants to take it even further, expanding knowledge and production of quinoa in countries suffering from food insecurity.
Quinoa can grow in a variety of climates, can withstand drought and poor soil, and is high in protein, fiber and certain minerals, including calcium, so the hope is that quinoa production can expand into countries where the population might otherwise lack reliable access to protein sources.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has shared a couple photo sets that show the diversity of quinoa production, from the blue skies and fertile fields of Ecuador (top photo) to the dry, mountain-ringed plains in Chile (bottom photo). Both have us looking at the bag of quinoa in the pantry with a little more appreciation.
Check it out:
→ Quinoa in Ecuador on Flickr
→ Quinoa in Chile on Flickr
→ International Year of Quinoa 2013 website
Related: 10 Satisfying Recipes Made With Quinoa
(Images: Flickr member FAOALC licensed under Creative Commons)
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Unfortunately, the current craze for quinoa (which I love, don't get me wrong) is having sad effects on the nutritional status of many people in Bolivia, where most of the world's quinoa comes from. It would indeed be good news if we start growing it elsewhere, in order to even out the supply/demand a little and allow Bolivians to be able to afford eating it once again...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/americas/20bolivia.html?_r=2&
Hmm, interesting. to know!
I haven't bought Quinoa because it's a fad food and I don't know what was wrong with rice or even the last fad (couscous.)
Hmmm. Like chooriyah, I hope that this means more quinoa for the people who actually grow it, but I'm not too optimistic! Consider the banana . . . http://www.scq.ubc.ca/global-issues-for-breakfast-the-banana-industry-and-its-problems-faq-cohen-mix/
@chooriyah that is exactly the article I was coming here to post.
The reason couscous and quinoa are attractive substitutes for rice is their low glycemic index and high protein content. Rice, in particular white rice, has a very high glycemic index, causing insulin spikes that contribute to the development of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. White rice also has little-to-no protein and little in the way of vitamins and nutrients, making it an essentially empty, quick-digesting carbohydrate.
For what it's worth, quinoa and coucous may appear to be "fad food" to you, but to much of the world they are a very regular dietary staple in place of high glycemic low nutrition carbohydrates like pasta and white rice.
Isn't couscous just teeny tiny pasta?
@AnnL Yes, it's just tiny pasta, so it's not THAT healthy. But Yummy!