QUINOA AB
Chenopodium quinoa
An ornamental and food plant, quinoa is one of the species cultivated ancestrally in the Andes. Recognized for its nutritional qualities, it has recently been consumed in Europe and is at the heart of agronomic and economic issues worldwide. This variety bears large green panicles that turn red when the seeds ripen in August/September. Its water requirements are moderate and the ideal temperature for its growth is between 12 and 20 °C. It tolerates drought relatively well. The seeds are covered in saponin, so it is necessary to rinse them thoroughly with water to remove their bitter taste.
Sowing:
Sow in March-April, in aerated, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
Flowering and harvest:
Flowers in July and harvests the seeds in August/September, when the stems turn purple and the grains begin to detach from the inflorescences. Cut the inflorescences and dry them before threshing them over a bucket.
