Do you have an idea of how quinoa is prepared? How do you rinse quinoa without a mesh strainer? Before we answer those questions, let us first find out the amazing health facts about this super grain quinoa. And talking about health benefits, you can also try making vegan recipes that can be paired with quinoa.
What is Quinoa?
Pronounced as keen-wah, or ke-NO-ah for some, quinoa is the little rice of Peru. It is a flowering plant in the amaranth family and originates from the high Andes mountains in Bolivia and Peru. It is an herbaceous annual plant that is grown as a crop essentially for its edible seeds. It was first used to feed farm animals such as goats, cows, and horses thousands of years ago. Also, humans started to consume quinoa 3–4 thousand years ago in Lake Titicaca, the basin of Bolivia and Peru.
Health Benefits of Quinoa
People classify quinoa as a grain. For others, quinoa is a seed. But no matter how people call or identify this crop, it is undeniable that it gives a lot of health benefits to those who include it in their daily meal. If you are curious and want to know more about the health benefits of this superfood or super grain, read on.
Helps Prevent Bones from Becoming Brittle (Osteoporosis)
Quinoa is rich in magnesium, which improves bone health. The mineral magnesium plays a vital role in bone formation. Aside from magnesium, quinoa also contains protein, which is said to be the building block for the bones. Thinning bones or called ‘osteoporosis’ is a concern that everyone should address. Osteoporosis does not occur only to individuals who are old. Magnesium, in combination with manganese, helps prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis and improve overall bone health.
Promotes Healthy Skin
Do you know that quinoa is loaded with antioxidants? Yes, you read it right! These powerful antioxidants fight the free radicals to alleviate the early signs of aging. Who in the world wants to look old anyway? Quinoa also has vitamin A, which is said to be the source of all vitamins that is responsible for delaying the aging process. It reduces wrinkles and fine lines and makes your skin look younger. The riboflavin (or vitamin B2) in quinoa improves skin elasticity. It is also best in treating acne as it can help reduce or regulate the overproduction of sebum.
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
The fiber, which is present in quinoa, can slow down the absorption of sugar and help improve blood sugar levels. Magnesium and potassium that are also both present in this super grain help lower blood pressure levels. Magnesium also helps relax the blood vessels, combat migraines, and regulate the production of cholesterol.
Maintains a Healthy Digestive System
Because quinoa is rich in fiber, you do not have to worry about not having a healthy digestive system anymore. The good thing is, the fiber content of quinoa helps to keep your digestive tract flowing by maintaining your bowel movements regular, thus preventing you from suffering constipation.
Assists in the Treatment of Anemia
Iron, which is found in quinoa, is believed to help fight anemia. Anemia occurs when there is an insufficient amount of red blood cells in your body.
Supports Tissue Repair and Growth
Quinoa has lysine, which is essential for tissue repair and growth. It is the only grain that contains this type of amino acid. The high amount of protein of quinoa also contributes to the repair and growth of tissues.
Those are just a few of the wonders that quinoa can do to your body. There are still more health benefits of quinoa that you have yet to discover.
Let’s Go Back to Your Question
Now, let us go back to the original question, which is, “How do you rinse quinoa without a mesh strainer?” Quinoa is coated with saponin, which can make it foamy and taste bitter if not washed or rinsed properly. And what if you don’t have a quinoa strainer handy? That’s why you need to know how to rinse quinoa without a mesh strainer or a quinoa sieve.
You must thoroughly rinse the quinoa under cold running water to remove its bitterness. If a mesh strainer is unfortunately not available in your kitchen, please do not panic. Calm down instead and look for the following alternatives that you can use to rinse and drain quinoa:
- Cheesecloth
- Nut milk bag
- French press
- Coffee filter in your coffee maker
- Old, clean shirt
- Cotton fabric
- Mesh bag
- Wire sieve
- Colander with super fine holes
Conclusion
How do you rinse quinoa without a mesh strainer? People use fine mesh metal strainer and those alternatives that were mentioned above to rinse quinoa. It is indeed impossible to rinse or wash quinoa without the help of these filters because these grains or seeds are indeed tiny. A fine mesh strainer (also called fine sieve) helps prevent seeds from falling or passing through the holes.
For some, preparing quinoa is like an art. You have to be precise in the moment of preparation to make it perfect. If you need other references to living life in the moment, check out the guys over at MomentoStudio. Learn more about mesh strainers.