Native to South America, quinoa is a pseudo-grain - actually a gluten-free seed, but used in cooking like a whole grain. This amazing plant was domesticated thousands of years ago near lake Titicaca, high on the plateaus of the Andes, and it was a mainstay in the diet of the ancient Incas. Quinoa is delicious on its own and in pilafs, soups and salads. Bob's Red Mill tri-color quinoa has been thoroughly rinsed and air dried to remove the naturally occurring bitter saponins.