Chenopodium quinoa
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa; , from Quechua ' or ') is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is an herbaceous annual plant grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds; the seeds are high in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins and dietary minerals especially potassium and magnesium in amounts greater than in many grains. Quinoa is not a grass but rather a pseudocereal botanically related to spinach and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), and originated in the Andean region of northwestern South America. It was first used to feed livestock 5,2007,000 years ago, and for human consumption 3,0004,0
AI overview
Quinoa is a flowering plant native to the Andes that produces nutrient-dense seeds rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable food crop despite not being a true grain. Though it's botanically related to spinach and amaranth rather than grasses, quinoa has been cultivated for thousands of years and remains important for human nutrition today.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
SPECIES
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyAmaranthaceae
Native toArgentina Northwest, Bolivia, Chile North, Ecuador, Peru
Common Name: white quinoa
via GBIF · Kew POWO
Research
1,960 papers- Does Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Consumption Improve Blood Glucose, Body Weight and Body Mass Index? A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.Current medicinal chemistry · 2024
- Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): Exploring a Superfood from Andean Indigenous Cultures with Potential to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Markers.
Article
27 sectionsContents
- Description
- Taxonomy
- Etymology
- Distribution
- Cultivation
- Climate requirements
- United States
- Europe
- Sowing
- Soil
- Genetics
- Harvesting
- Processing
- Production
- Price
- Effects of rising demand on growers
- Monoculture and climate change impacts
- Chemistry
- Uses
- Nutrition
- In culture
- United Nations recognition
- Kosher certification
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa; , from Quechua ' or ') is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is an herbaceous annual plant grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds; the seeds are high in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins and dietary minerals especially potassium and magnesium in amounts greater than in many grains. Quinoa is not a grass but rather a pseudocereal botanically related to spinach and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), and originated in the Andean region of northwestern South America. It was first used to feed livestock 5,2007,000 years ago, and for human consumption 3,0004,000 years ago in the Lake Titicaca basin of Bolivia and Peru.
The plant thrives at high elevations and produces seeds that are rich in protein. Almost all production in the Andean region is done by small farms and associations. Its cultivation has spread to more than 70 countries, including Kenya, India, the United States, and European countries. As a result of increased consumption in North America, Europe, and Australasia, quinoa crop prices tripled between 2006 and 2014, entering a boom and bust cycle.