National Quinoa Day Date in the current year: January 16, 2024

Quinoa is a plant in the amaranth family native to the Andean region of northwestern South America. It is related to amaranth and spinach. Quinoa is cultivated for its edible seeds that are an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins, and a number of dietary minerals. Although quinoa is sometimes called a grain, it is actually a pseudograin like amaranth, chia seeds or buckwheat.

Quinoa has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. The indigenous cultures of the Lake Titicaca basin in what is now Bolivia and Peru first used quinoa to feed livestock 5,200–7,000 years ago, and humans started to consume it as food around 3,000–4,000 years ago. As people began to cultivate quinoa, different cultivars developed depending on salinity of the soil, weather conditions, and other factors.

The popularity of quinoa significantly declined by the mid-19th century as maize and wheat became much more widespread, in no small part as a result of colonization. A resurgence in its popularity began in the second half of the 20th century for a number of reasons. First, quinoa is highly adaptable to poor growing conditions such as nutrient-poor or saline soils. Second, it is versatile and has a high nutritional value. Third, it is gluten-free, which makes it a great cereal substitute for those who have gluten intolerance.

The cultivation of quinoa has spread to over 70 countries outside of its native Andean region. However, Peru and Bolivia still account for 97% of the total world production of quinoa. Quinoa is typically boiled before eating; cooked quinoa is a rich source of manganese and phosphorus and a good source of dietary fiber, folate (vitamin B9), iron, magnesium, and zinc. Due to its high nutritional value, quinoa widely regarded as a superfood.

Quinoa has a mild taste and a somewhat nutty flavor, which makes it a great base for both savory and sweet dishes. Quinoa is often used to make salads and bowls, where it can be combined with many other foods, ranging from meats to fresh vegetables. You can also use quinoa to make soups, stuffed vegetables and mushrooms, porridge, casseroles, vegan burgers, quiches, muffins, pancakes, and many other delicious dishes.

The origins of National Quinoa Day are unclear, but don’t let it stop you from celebrating this amazing holiday. You can learn more about quinoa and its health benefits, order a quinoa dish at a restaurant that serves quinoa bowls or other quinoa dishes, try cooking with quinoa at home, and even invite your friends and family over for a quinoa-themed potluck. The best thing about a quinoa-themed meal is that it is inclusive because quinoa is used to make a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes plus it’s gluten-free.

Finally, don’t forget to let others know about the holiday by posting about it on social media with the hashtags #NationalQuinoaDay and #QuinoaDay.