ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quinoa

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌkiˈnoʊə// quinoa

n. a small, round seed that you cook and eat like a grain. It is very healthy because it has a lot of protein and is often used in salads or as a side dish.

n. the small, edible seed of a plant in the amaranth family, native to the Andes. Often treated as a cereal in culinary contexts due to its high protein content and gluten-free properties.


SIMPLE

I usually add quinoa to my salad for extra protein.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef recommended substituting quinoa for rice to give the dish a nuttier flavor and a lighter texture.

COMPLEX

While historically a staple crop for indigenous populations in the Andes, quinoa has gained global prominence as a nutrient-dense superfood suitable for various dietary requirements.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa.

Usage

Typically treated as uncountable when referring to the food as a mass, though it can be countable when referring to different botanical varieties.

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