Quinoa has been around for millennia.
The Inca called quinoa chisaya mama, or “mother grain.” Not only was it a vital source of nutrients for the Inca people, it was used in religious ceremonies.
When the Spanish came to the new world, they believed the simple grain was a false idol, and burned quinoa fields far and wide. Luckily for us, they couldn’t wipe it out entirely.
Quinoa has been so important throughout history that the United Nations declared 2013 the International Year of Quinoa.
To learn more, here’s a friendly food video on quinoa.
