Quinoa is a kind of food with compound starch and high dietary fiber. Its texture is hard and it is difficult for water to enter it. Moreover, the outer layer of quinoa seeds contains a layer of saponin, which is bitter to eat and toxic to human body, so it is generally necessary to soak quinoa for a period of time before cooking.

This will not only make the inside of quinoa full of water, but also help the subsequent cooking, and remove the saponin contained in it, which will be safer for the human body, so it is not recommended to cook quinoa directly without soaking in water.

2 How long does it take to soak quinoa? About two hours.

Quinoa does not need to be soaked for a long time to avoid the loss of nutrients contained in it. Generally, it only needs to be soaked in clear water for about 2 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can also soak quinoa in warm water, which will be faster.

After soaking, the inside of quinoa will absorb enough water, showing a swelling phenomenon, and soaking in water can also stimulate the activity in the embryo of quinoa seeds, and the nutritional value will be higher.

How long quinoa is cooked depends on the situation.

If quinoa is fully soaked in advance, it is still very easy to cook. Generally, it only needs to be boiled in boiling water for about 10- 15 minutes until the quinoa becomes transparent.

The taste of quinoa is chewy at this time. If you want to taste softer, you can also extend the time to 20 minutes, but it is best not to cook for too long to avoid the loss of nutrients contained in quinoa.

What will happen if quinoa is not cooked or eaten? May cause indigestion.

Uncooked quinoa has a hard texture and contains more protein and cellulose, which may cause a great burden on the stomach after eating. For some people with poor gastrointestinal function, there may be indigestion symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and constipation, so when eating quinoa, it must be cooked before eating.

Generally speaking, cooked quinoa will germinate, and a small "white bud" will appear on its top, which is crisp and chewy.