Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa), a valuable food-plant, a native of Chili and the high table-land of Mexico, which much resembles some of the British species of Chenopodium (q.v.). In the countries in which it is indigenous it is much cultivated for its seeds, which form a principal food of the inhabitants. The meal made from some varieties of the seed has a somewhat peculiar flavour, but it is very nutritious and is made into a kind of porridge and cakes. The plant is sometimes cultivated in British gardens for its leaves, which are a good substitute for spinach.