Quinoa - grown in America?

I don't know where it's grown (4.00 / 2)

but I do know how to make it. Quinoa + water in a 1:2 ratio, then cook for 20 min on the stove. Add honey, cinnamon, and raisins to taste.

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by: OrangeClouds115 @ Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 22:45:39 PM UTC

Pretty sure I saw it... (4.00 / 2)

in my food co-op once, maybe back in May, labeled as "grown in Colorado"...but I could be thinking of another 'not-very-common' grain.  I'll make a point to look for it when I'm back there probably this Sunday, and if I can remember to do so I'll update this comment...

Also, check this out -

Quinoa is grown mainly in cool mountainous regions, because air temperatures above 90 to 95 degrees cause sterility of the pollen. Quinoa has been cultivated since the early 1980s and commercially produced since the mid 1980s in the Colorado Rockies, especially in the San Luis Valley. Production has also been attempted in California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. The biggest barrier to U.S. production is climate.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:08:12 AM UTC

Organic quinoa is produced in Colorado (4.00 / 2)

One producer is White Mountain Farms, which is the first I found.  I believe there are others.

Oddly enough, I was thinking about posting a diary on quinoa, particularly on the organic cooperative producers in Bolivia.

I'll try and get to it tomorrow...

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by: DebtorsPrison @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:58:28 AM UTC

In America it is grown in Colorado in the high rockies (4.00 / 1)

However, South American is better. Also, you should soak it for at least a few hours, preferably overnight to remove the saponin (soapy bitterness) and it tastes much better. I have been eating it for years and use cinnamon and stevia for a sweeter version and spices and garlic as a rice replacement.

Quinoa is very good for you...high in protein and amino acids. One of the rare non-meat sources of complete proteins. Good for vegetarians but some people cannot digest it properly witout soaking first.

http://chetday.com/quinoa.html

Take the eat local challenge! http://www.eatlocalchallenge.com/

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by: Organicgurl @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 04:12:03 AM UTC

In America it is grown in Colorado in the high rockies (0.00 / 0)

However, South American is better. Also, you should soak it for at least a few hours, preferably overnight to remove the saponin (soapy bitterness) and it tastes much better. I have been eating it for years and use cinnamon and stevia for a sweeter version and spices and garlic as a rice replacement.

Quinoa is very good for you...high in protein and amino acids. One of the rare non-meat sources of complete proteins. Good for vegetarians but some people cannot digest it properly witout soaking first.

http://chetday.com/quinoa.html

Take the eat local challenge! http://www.eatlocalchallenge.com/

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by: Organicgurl @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 04:12:03 AM UTC

Mostly what's in the stores is Bolivian ... (4.00 / 3)

... but as DebtorsPrison mentions, White Mountain Farm does grow a bunch in Colorado.  If I had to guess, I'd guess they have the majority of the quinoa production in the US.

If you buy Andean quinoa, keep your eyes open for Alter Eco, a fair trade brand.

We've been growing it successfully for four seasons in Boulder County -- elevation 5000 ft (much lower than the 8000 or so feet at White Mountain Farm).  I think it may be just cool enough for quinoa here -- apparently it doesn't set seed well if temperatures exceed 95F during flowering.

This year, we probably have 300 square feet in quinoa.  It'll produce a bunch of meals -- but I really don't know how much the harvest will mass.  I plan on posting more as it get towards harvest time.

I'd really like to do a quarter acre or so next year -- so I need to start talking to growers & landowners now about cooperating on a patch.

OMG, bees are cool.

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by: by foot @ Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 02:05:41 AM UTC

That's exciting (4.00 / 1)

I just caught up to this comment a week late.  I look forward to hearing how your crop turns out.

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by: DebtorsPrison @ Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 03:29:01 AM UTC

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