By Lauren Ashley
Malaysians thrive on controversy and now the election seems to be centred on the Peruvian quinoa and its benefits compared with our beloved home-grown rice.
Quinoa is a rather quirky grain. It grows only at high altitudes, which makes it inconvenient to farm and difficult to transport to distributors. Its bitter saponin coating which takes time to be washed off doesn’t help, and if not processed properly, can disgruntle its consumers.
Rice, meanwhile, grows well in valleys and is significantly easier to process. They are all the same, and much easier to market.
Where a whole crop of rice matures at the same time and can be harvested collectively, a single head of quinoa matures at different times and makes the process of harvesting on a mass scale impossible. Each seed head is picked manually, a time-consuming and expensive process.
All these additional concerns that need to be addressed when selling quinoa make it cost double what ordinary rice would. Doesn’t look too promising, does it?
But the health benefits of quinoa are intense.
For a tiny seed, it packs massive amounts of protein. A single 60g cup contains a solid 8g of protein.
Quinoa also contains significant portions of the recommended daily amounts for manganese (58%), magnesium (30%), phosphorus (28%), folate (28%), iron (15%) and potassium (9%).
A 60g cup of quinoa contains only 222 calories whereas a 90g cup of rice contains a whopping 735 calories. Quinoa also contain less sugar than rice does, making it a better option for the diabetic population of Malaysia.
The benefits don’t end there either. Because the lower density of quinoa makes it last longer than rice, 250g of quinoa provides for more than four servings, while 250g of rice provides less than three servings.
But you’re right. Quinoa is expensive, and many of us can’t afford the steep price tag. Never fear, though. Millet is here to save the day.
Having almost all the benefits of quinoa (save for a few amino acids) and ringing only a quarter of the price at the cashier, it’s diet-friendly and also kind to your wallet.
Besides, when did Malaysians need an excuse to try new food anyway?
Lauren Ashley is an intern at FMT.
* The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.