Definition of "quinoa"

Chenopodium quinoa Will, (quinoa) is native to the Andes, and the seeds are a staple grain in parts of South America. The newly formed Canadian Quinoa Association anticipated growing about 400 ha of quinoa annually (Anonymous 1992e).

1997, Derek B. Munro, Ernest Small, Vegetables of Canada, page 142

Quinoa was cultivated about 3,000 years ago in the Andes mountain region, and was the favored crop of the Incas, who used it as a sacred plant in rituals.

1999 October, Lisa Turner, “Have fun exploring the land of unconventional grains”, in Better Nutrition, page 70

The oldest archeological remains of domesticated quinoa date to 5000 BC (Tapia 1979).

2007, Chittaranjan Kole, Pulses, Sugar and Tuber Crops, page 148

Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the quinoa, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2007, Mark Bittman, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food, page 560

Quinoa is another of those foods that keeps getting miscategorized—everyone thinks it′s a grain, everyone uses it like a grain, but it′s actually a seed.

2007, Jonny Bowden, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, page 78

To use quinoa in a salad, spread it on a platter or baking sheet after cooking to allow it to cool and, more importantly, dry. Cooked quinoa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

2009, Miriam Backes, Bob′s Red Mill Cookbook: Whole & Healthy Grains for Every Meal of the Day, page 104