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Lesser known seeds
Quinoa has become popular in no time, but other special grains are already clamoring for a spot on your plate. Canihua for example.
Canihua (pronounced kaniwa) is related to quinoa (which you officially pronounce as kienwa, which makes it all a bit confusing). The grains of canihua are even smaller than those of quinoa, so a baby sister.
Grain for the Incas
Originally, canihua grows in South America, especially in Bolivia and Peru. It is a tough plant that can withstand drought and frost and grows at great heights on the highlands in the Andes Mountains. Officially it is not a grain, but a seed. But you eat it just like you eat rice, couscous or quinoa. Canihua was already eaten by the Incas and Aztecs, so this grain is certainly not new. Less is produced than quinoa, which is why it is (even) less well known.
This is how you use it
Cooking with canihua is easy. The cooking time is only 15 minutes and you don’t need to rinse it before cooking, as is advised with quinoa. The beautiful reddish-brown color makes canihua very decorative in salads. But you can also use it in soups, or as a side dish to a stew. Which is also often done: make porridge for breakfast, for example with almond milk or coconut milk and then mix it with cinnamon, fresh or dried fruit, nuts and some sesame seeds. The taste of canihua is nice and nutty and a little bit sweet. You can buy it in health food stores and online stores.
Rich in protein and iron
Don’t let those tiny grains fool you: Canihua’s nutritional value isn’t childish. It is rich in protein, minerals and fiber. You could even call it a superfood, if that term wasn’t already obsolete. According to internet sources, canihua is very high in calcium, zinc and iron. In fact, one serving would provide you with 60 percent of the recommended daily amount of iron. This is difficult to check, because this grain is not mentioned in official food tables. However, it seems a bit much.
Recommended?
Yes, canihua is a must. It is quickly ready and a pure, unprocessed product. It also looks decorative and is a healthy variation on, for example, brown rice, couscous, whole wheat pasta and quinoa. The only downside is the price: it’s quite expensive!