United Nations Declares 2013 the International Year of Quinoa
Top officials from the United Nations and the Andean community of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru today launched the International Year of Quinoa to raise awareness of the nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural value of a food that has been traditionally cultivated for thousands of years.
"I hope this International Year will be a catalyst for learning about the potential of quinoa for food and nutrition security, for reducing poverty, especially among the world's small farmers and for environmentally sustainable agriculture," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the launch at UN Headquarters.
Calling it extraordinary and a cultural anchor in the Andes, Mr. Ban noted that quinoa contains all the essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins, but no gluten.
The small crop is widely adaptable, thriving in temperatures ranging from -8 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius, at sea level or 4,000 meters above, and is not impacted by low moisture.
This versatility makes quinoa a viable food option for areas with arid farming conditions and high malnutrition rates. FAO estimates that 1 billion people were affected by malnutrition in 2010, nearly all living in the developing world.
"I hope this International Year will be a catalyst for learning about the potential of quinoa for food and nutrition security, for reducing poverty, especially among the world's small farmers and for environmentally sustainable agriculture," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the launch at UN Headquarters.
Calling it extraordinary and a cultural anchor in the Andes, Mr. Ban noted that quinoa contains all the essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins, but no gluten.
The small crop is widely adaptable, thriving in temperatures ranging from -8 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius, at sea level or 4,000 meters above, and is not impacted by low moisture.
This versatility makes quinoa a viable food option for areas with arid farming conditions and high malnutrition rates. FAO estimates that 1 billion people were affected by malnutrition in 2010, nearly all living in the developing world.
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds and is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. The nutrient composition is very good compared with common cereals.
Quinoa Seeds
Quinoa seeds contain essential amino acids like lysine and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. After harvest, the seeds need to be processed to remove the coating containing the bitter-tasting saponins. Quinoa seeds are in general cooked the same way as rice and can be used in a wide range of dishes.
The Keen One company directly imports fair trade royal quinoa from Bolivia to their head quarters in Boulder, Colorado. All of their Quinoa varieties are certified organic by the USDA. Keen One is a quick and tasty quinoa offering that can be eaten out of the package or rehydrated on the stove top. We here at Mother Nature's Remedy think quinoa is a very important superfood to incorporate into your diet. Right now our favorite flavor happens to be the Country Flavor Quinoa. It is a spicy Latin blend with instant quinoa for a perfect blend of heat and flavor for any occasion.
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