India Gate Quinoa Review – Is This Quick And Easy To Cook?

One of the superfoods of the 21st century, quinoa is a gluten-free grain that has a robust nutrient profile. Rich in antioxidants and essential amino acids, quinoa is one of the very few complete vegetarian protein sources. 

Health benefits apart, incorporating this superfood into your diet is rather easy. 

The brand synonymous with basmati rice, India Gate now also offers its quinoa. In our India Gate quinoa review, we talk about the cooking method and time, the taste and texture, and why quinoa may be a healthier alternative to rice. 

High in dietary fiber and low GI (glycemic index), India Gate launched its quinoa after rigorous research to ensure a quality everyday product. 

We ordered our 500 g box of India Gate quinoa from an online portal(Big Basket). 

This section of our review discusses the cooking methods and time, aroma, taste, texture, grain size, nutritional value, best paired with, basically everything you’d want to know about India Gate quinoa. 

Here is a list of five fun and innovative recipes you can prepare with quinoa.

1. Cooking Instruction

There are two cooking modes provided at the back of the pack- stovetop, and microwave. 

You are recommended to thoroughly rinse the quinoa seeds until the water is clear. We rinsed it four times and soaked it for a few minutes before cooking. 

The water to quinoa ratio mentioned on the back of the pack is 2:1. 

Whether stovetop or microwave, India Gate quinoa takes no longer than 15 minutes to cook to perfection. 

2. Flavour

India Gate quinoa, once cooked, did not have any bitterness. 

As mentioned on the pack, we rinsed the quinoa until the water was clear. India Gate quinoa had nutty flavor notes. 

However, the pack mentions the addition of your preferred cooking stock for some flavor. 

3. Texture & Colour

In its raw stage, India Gate quinoa had a beige hue and looked granuly. 

Post-cooking, the quinoa turned transparent and some turned white. Texture-wise, the quinoa grains had turned fluffy. No grain was found to be sticking to another. 

4.Aroma

India Gate quinoa had a nutty aroma. 

5. Grain Size

India Gate quinoa are fine-sized pseudocereals. 

Once cooked, we noticed the grains had quadrupled in size. 

For a better understanding, post-cooking the quinoa resembled raw basmati rice. 

6. Nutritional Information

Following is India Gate quinoa nutritional information, per 100 g-

371 kcal, 64 g of carbohydrates, 16.3 g of protein, 16 g of fiber, and 5.4 g of fat.

Please note- these values are during the uncooked stage.

7.Price

A 500 g box of India Gate quinoa is priced at INR 225. India Gate quinoa is a little towards the pricier side as compared to other brands.

Following the cooking instructions given on the pack, we rinsed one cup of quinoa until the water was clear. After soaking it for around five minutes, we added two cups of water with some salt to a microwave-safe bowl. It took almost 15 minutes for the quinoa grains to fluff up. 

However, post-cooking, we did leave it in the microwave for a few minutes and stirred it using a fork before serving. 

The grains stood apart, weren’t sticky, and were super fluffy! Due to water absorption, India Gate quinoa turned translucent as they are supposed to. (just like it happens in the case of rice)

Following are some more details from our India Gate quinoa review-

Features

• The 500 g box is priced at INR 225.
• The pack mentions two methods of cooking.
• India Gate quinoa takes no longer than 15 minutes to cook to perfection.
• This product has a shelf life of 24 months.

Pros

• India Gate quinoa is fairly easy to prepare.
• You can customize the flavors as preferred.
• Like quinoa characteristically is, India Gate quinoa has a nutty flavor.
• The fluffy texture resembles that of rice. 

Best Suited For

Whether your goal is to tone up, build muscle, or shed some pounds, India Gate quinoa is a pretty great carb source! 

Why you ask? Quinoa, by nature, is a high-volume food. Although it is rich in calories, it is also high in protein. 

Quinoa when cooked absorbs a lot of water which enhances its volume. Similarly, since the glycemic index of quinoa is comparatively lower than other carbohydrate sources, it slows down digestion keeping you satiated for longer. Say goodbye to those random hunger pangs.

In addition to satiety, quinoa is very nutritious. Vitamins like A, E, and minerals like zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, etc are naturally found in quinoa in decent quantities.

Add some chopped veggies to this- you have a wholesome meal ready!

Here are some interesting FAQs on India Gate quinoa

1. Does India Gate quinoa have any flavor?

No, to add flavor you are recommended to use cooking stock.

2. Is India Gate quinoa healthy to eat?

Yes, whole foods are among the healthiest options when combined with fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds. 

3. Is India Gate quinoa good for weight loss?

Weight loss primarily depends on calories consumed and calories burnt. If you burn more than you consume, you will lose weight/fat. 

Staying in a calorie deficit is important and quinoa has properties that make the process relatively easier. 

4. Can I eat India Gate quinoa every day?

Yes. However, we recommend to keep switching your sources for certain vitamins and minerals. 

5. What is the price of India Gate quinoa?

The 500 g box is priced at INR 225.

6. How long does India Gate quinoa Last?

One 500 g box contains 12 servings. One box of India Gate quinoa would last based on your consumption. 

Most conversations about our health and body revolve around weight loss, and that shouldn’t be the case. And reaching the ideal body weight goal ‘quickly’, even more so! It is advised to follow a healthy lifestyle which is a mix of a balanced diet and exercise.

India Gate quinoa is a quick-cooking, nutty-flavored meal option. Since the flavor isn’t too bold, you can easily customize the dish by trying some of our healthy and quick recipes with quinoa. 

Quinoa is a gluten-free cereal. If you wish to try the gluten-free diet, quinoa can be a pretty good choice to start with. 

If you try some of the quinoa recipes we have shared, let us know how they turned out!

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