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2/21/13 5:42 A

I bought triple washed quinoa at our local Rhubarbs and paid quite a bit 'per pound'. My son and DIL picked up a 5 lb. bag for me at Costco that is much more affordable. I'm sure I'll have to wash it. Saving money is worth the extra rinsing/fuss for me.

Great link; thank you! I learn a lot of great tips from this team. Have a great day, Pat

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1/27/13 10:29 P

Keep up the good work!

There's a little bit more detail here about quinoanomics in Bolivia and Peru. It's not all gloom, including some stats about risining local consumption despite the export prices. www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/14/quino
a-andes-bolivia-peru-crop?intcmp=239
I realise not everyone lives in a quinoa growing region like I do. I'd encourage you to buy fair trade organic quinoa and to stick to the plain white variety rather than the red and black which seem to be more problematic. In any case it's a good idea to eat a variety of grains and I'd suggest that in a rotation with barley, rye, millet, spelt, etc. you'll have the best of all words: nutrition, a light footprint and support for export crops in developing countries.

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1/27/13 11:09 A

Thank you SO much, BILBY4, for the rebuttal article. I am a new vegan and posted it here in hopes of feedback like yours.

As a civil engineer, part of my goal is to improve the lives of families in developing nations. I became aware of the dreadful impact on the environment that meat causes through my volunteer work and from programs like Forks Over Knives and Vegucated. Information like that contributed to my decision to make this lifestyle change.

I have yet to try quinoa. If I can find satisfaction with another grain, I may forego consuming it.

Edited by: PEPPER2956 at: 1/27/2013 (11:10)

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1/26/13 10:16 P

No, it's a ridiculous tilt at veg*ns on the flimsiest of pretexts. Overall the energy, carbon, social and ethical footrint of a vegan diet is far less than that of any other diet known to humankind and I have no qualms about following it to my heart's content. Read the footnote at the bottom of the article and you'll see how the drivel in this article gave the author a serious does of foot-in-mouth. Then read and understand the well-articulated PETA takedown here: www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/
22/quinoa-bolivian-farmers-meat-eaters
-hunger

For the record quinoa is grown locally here (Tasmania) and has nothing to do with Bolivian peasants. I eat it happily, in fact I had some in my lovely summer tabbouleh only yesterday. Yum.

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1/26/13 7:25 P

Will this affect your desire for quinoa?

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/
16/vegans-stomach-unpalatable-truth-qu
inoa

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7/31/11 2:08 P

I have buying mine at various Asian or International markets and they come in packages.

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7/31/11 10:14 A

I buy quinoa from the bulk bins or Trader Joes and just rinse it in a fine mesh sieve. I've never had a problem either. Where are you buying it? I've never found dirt or rocks in mine ever!

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7/31/11 1:12 A

Yeah, I might suggest looking for a different source of quinoa. I get it in the bulk bins from a few local stores and have never had any issues. I just put in in the strainer and rinse.

Lentils, however, are a different story :)

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7/30/11 2:21 P

I get mine from the bulk bins at Sprouts or in a box at Trader Joe's; I've never had foreign matter in there. But I have on occasion insufficiently rinsed it so that it's bitter. A big bowl full of water, insert fine mesh sieve, pour in quinoa, soak for 10-15 minutes, rub it through my fingers, lift out the sieve, rinse.

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7/30/11 8:08 A

Soak 10 mins, tip into sieve, run a little water over it. Cook 10 minutes. Done.

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7/29/11 9:32 P

I soak mine over night and then rince in a fine straner. I don't remember having any dirt particals in them.

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7/29/11 8:58 P

I'm with you IMVEGAN, I buy mine bulk at Whole Foods and have never found anything foriegn in mine. Never bit into anything crunchy or anything.

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7/29/11 8:24 P

Mine doesn't seem to be full of dirt. I buy it in a box or by the bag at Costco. Maybe mine is pre-rinsed?

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7/29/11 7:36 P

I used to do the fine sieve method but that did not break down the minuscule pieces of dirt.

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7/29/11 7:22 P

I agree with Will, I have a very fine screen mesh strainer, I put the Quinoa in and hold it under running water. I have never had a problem with any foreign matter in my Quinoa.

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7/29/11 7:19 P

Also I agree it does take a long time to clean. Barley too. Organic has less debris.

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7/29/11 7:17 P

Just like with rice, use a colander. That usually works fairly well.

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7/29/11 6:54 P

What are your methods in making sure that all of the particles, debris, and dirt are removed from your quinoa when you cook i?. I can't tell you how many times I bite into sand while eating quinoa. It is my favorite grain but it is so time consuming to clean,

I actually timed myself today cleaning it and 1/2 cup dry and it took me over 45 mins. to sort through the little seeds. The seeds are so small and so are the particles. I put it in a white dish and go through it a few grains at at a time, like a pinch full.

So frustrating, there has to be a better way. The kicker is that I did not make the quinoa for myself. My girlfriend was requesting a Quinoa Corn Chowder I make because she didn't feel well so be the good Samaritan I am, I made it for her.

Edited by: TRAVELNISTA at: 7/29/2011 (18:55)

current weight: 306.0

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