What is Quinoa Flour?

Quinoa flour is a flour produced from quinoa, a grain-like seed native to the Andes of South America. Quinoa is a somewhat unique grain, in that it has a very high protein content which made it a critical part of the Andean diet for centuries. Widespread exposure to the grain has led the rest of the world to come up with a number of quinoa-derived products, including cereal and flour.
This flour can be made from milled or unmilled seeds. Unmilled seeds produce a more coarse, nutritious flour, while milled ones are used to make a much smoother flour. In either case, the flour is typically a creamy yellow to ivory color. Quinoa is gluten-free, so the flour can be safely used in gluten-free baking projects for people with gluten intolerance. Bakers should be careful, however, as it may be processed in a facility that contains gluten, in which case it can become contaminated.

The remarkably high protein content of quinoa grains holds true in quinoa flour, with the protein content averaging around 17%. This flour is also very high in dietary fiber. The high protein content can interfere with some baking, so many bakers recommend mixing quinoa with other flours, rather than using it alone. Plain quinoa flour can make dishes seem gluey, heavy, or sticky, a result which is generally viewed as undesirable.

The flavor of the flour is very mild, with a hint of nuttiness. It is often combined with tapioca, potato starch, and sorghum to create a gluten-free baking mix. Many gluten-free bakers experiment with bulk flours to arrive at a blend which works for them. Quinoa flour may also be used as a thickener in sauces, soups, and other dishes, especially in cases where additional protein might be viewed as beneficial.

This flour can be quite expensive in the store, and it can go rancid easily. It should ideally be stored in the fridge or freezer, rather than at room temperature, and it should not be exposed to heat, bright light, or moisture until it is ready for use. To save money on commercially milled flour, cooks with food processors or grain mills can also make their own, using quinoa grains purchased at the store. One advantage to homemade flour is that cooks can make exactly as much as they need, and they can grind it with other grains and flours for a uniform mixture and texture.
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Discussion Comments
Here's another alternative grain and flour that is gluten-free. I'll have to tell my brother about organic quinoa flour. He's gluten intolerant and is always looking for gluten-free food that is easy to prepare.
Actually, he would probably just cook the grain. It sounds like making the flour and combining it with other grains might be too much trouble for some people.
I hope we can continue to discover more nutritious options for some of our American "favorites."
We Americans are becoming more and more familiar with the many nutritious foods that people from other countries have been eating for centuries.
The grain, quinoa, is a good example. It is very high in protein and fiber.
I had read about it in a magazine, and thought I would try some. We had it the other night. It was mild tasting and a little sticky. I added a few black beans and some cilantro to the cooked grain. Everyone in the family liked it. It's expensive, but we'll have it again - feels good to eat something so nutritious.
I have been eating a gluten free diet for several years now and quinoa flour is a big part of it. Its true that it is not so great on its own (depending on the recipe), but mixed with other grains and alternative flours it makes a surprisingly tasty and effective baking mix. Using a quinoa flour blend I have been able to make cakes, muffins, cookies and breads that you would never know didn't have gluten in them
The article is right that quinoa flour can be really expensive. That is why I started making my own. The process is really a lot simpler than you would expect.
I simply put a portion of quinoa in a plastic bag and rolled over it with a heavy can until I had ground it all into a powder. The process only took a minute or too.
I have also seen people do this in a food processor. This is probably more effective, but I don' have a food processor so I just got creative.
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