Why eat red, black, or white? Many articles debate this at great length. Almost all come to the same conclusion that the only difference (between the options) is to choose which color makes a prettier plate for dinner.
And it is true, red quinoa and black can make green and yellow veggies “pop” on the plate! But the often stated conclusion that white (and for that matter, all quinoa) is the same isn’t quite true. Not only does taste vary between white (or golden) options, but red and black might just be the best options.
Research has shown that the more color in your food, means more good stuff for your body. And in this case, it appears that quinoa, with color, has about 15% of your “daily requirements” for riboflavin.
Not sure if you should care about Riboflavin? Otherwise known as Vitamin B2, this important vitamin often helps keep the painful red tongue, cracked lips, itchy bloodshot eyes, and cracked mouth corners away. It is also believed that a deficiency of Riboflavin affects the blood and the ability to absorb much-needed iron for your body, resulting in a cascading of potential evil issues.
Now, should I go out and only eat red or black quinoa? No, of course not. You get vitamin B2 from many food sources, including dairy, eggs, green leafy veggies, nuts, and legumes.
Keep in mind that Quinoa is fibre healthy, has iron and magnesium, and antioxidants. It is a complete protein (amino acid-rich) and is a great food for gluten-free, vegan eaters. Because it is such a superfood, you should make sure it works for you.
But the very best reason to eat this seed (not a grain) is that it is as easy as boiling water!
The very basic, basic cooking instructions are this. 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water. Boil water, then rinse quinoa to remove the natural saponin (nature's bug repellent), add quinoa to the pot, and then simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and make a dish. It works well with just about anything, from pasta sauce to veggies and protein. Browse our selection of organic quinoa below to find the perfect variety for your next recipe.
