What is the average shelf life of quinoa? How long does quinoa last in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer? What is the best way to store quinoa to increase its shelf life? Find out the answers to these questions and more below:
Shelf Life of Quinoa
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncooked | 1 Year | N/A | N/A |
| Cooked | N/A | 3-4 Days | 3-4 Weeks |
The Quinoa is a type of seed which results in a fluffy, crunchy and sweet texture after cooking. Individuals often consider quinoa as grains and use it as a substitute for oats or wheat in the diet. Quinoa is termed as a super grain of the future as it has twice the amount of fiber and is a blend of essential proteins which contains nine amino acids. It is also gluten-free which makes it a perfect choice. The Quinoa comprises lysine, magnesium, iron, manganese, and riboflavin.
The shelf life of Quinoa depends on multiple factors such as the storage method or whether it is cooked or in raw form. All food items last for short period if not stored appropriately. It should be used before the mentioned best by date and not until the expiry date.
How to Store Quinoa?
The best method to store quinoa is an airtight container either in a cool, dark place or the pantry under the constant temperature. To store the cooked quinoa, refrigerate it in an airtight container keeping it away from moisture and contaminants. Do not store cooked quinoa for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
For long periods, you can freeze the dry quinoa and preserve the taste if you are using an oxygen-free freezer safe pot. Proper storage benefits by cutting the food costs, eating healthy stuff and helps the environment from wastes.
How to Handle Quinoa?
Wash the quinoa thoroughly before you cook to remove the natural coating on quinoa which has saponins. These saponins result in a bitter taste, so it is better to remove them. If you buy bagged or boxed quinoa they are pre-washed, so you just need to rinse it once.
The quinoa seeds can easily be escaped from the fine-mesh sieve as they are tiny. Rinse the seeds in a bowl and fill the pot with cold water immersing the quinoa seeds in it. Stir the water and allows the seeds to settle. Pour the top water and add another water until the time it does not look foamy.
What Should You Look for While Buying Quinoa?
- Choose the color of quinoa seeds according to choice.
- Recheck the label on the product
- Buy the quinoa seeds which are pre-rinsed
- Buy the quinoa seeds which are gluten-free
- Do not stress on buying the organic quinoa seeds or non-GMO product.
- Feel free to blend quinoa seeds with other products
- Do not stress if it is grown in South America
How to Cook With Quinoa?
After the washing step, you do not need to dry the seeds thoroughly. Pour the wet seeds in a pan and toast it before cooking. Stir the seeds intermittently with a wooden spoon over medium heat to allow the water to evaporate. Add cooking oil to the seeds either a chicken or vegetable broth depending on the recipe, bringing it to boil. Cover the cooking pan and reduce the heat. Let it simmer for around 20 minutes till the water is completely absorbed, and your dish is ready.
You can use quinoa in preparing these recipes:
- Veggie-Quinoa Soup
- Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with green bean Quinoa and Radish