Farmers harvest Trader Joe’s White Quinoa in May at an altitude of about 12,000 feet, then they carefully wash, rinse, dry, clean again and sort the crop by color, before packing it to ship to our stores. Organic White Quinoa is a protein rich alternative to rice, couscous or pasta and is gluten free. This ancient grain has more than 5,000 years of history, and was so prized by the ancient Incas that it earned the designation “the mother grain.” Unlike most grains, Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids in a balanced protein. It is often cited as one of the best protein sources in the vegetable kingdom. Use Organic White Quinoa like you’d use rice. It’s that easy, and it cooks faster, too. Combine it with black beans, corn, avocado and a bit of freshly squeezed lime juice for a quick, light, satisfying salad.