Quinoa, or Chenopodium quinoa of the Amaranthaceae flowering plant family, is a grain crop grown for its edible, protein-packed seeds. The plant itself is most closely related to spinach and beets, and also boasts iron-rich, edible leaves.

All of our quinoa is organically grown and fairly traded in the altiplano or high plateau climates of Bolivia. The majority comes from a region just north of the Solar de Uyuni near Challapata, Bolivia.

Yes! All quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Keen One Quinoa is processed in a dedicated facility, eliminating any risk of gluten contamination.

Yes, heaps of them! Check out our nutritional benefits page for more information.

Quinoa produces its own natural pest deterrent called saponin. Saponin is bitter to the taste and acts as a poison to small insects, birds and rodents. It’s a general diuretic to most humans, which is why you should always rinse your quinoa with water if possible. To make things simple for our customers, Keen One Quinoa is triple washed and ready to enjoy, no extra rinsing required (unless you really want to).

There are many ways to prepare quinoa! Here are some of our favorite techniques:

Pasta Style: Boil 4 parts water with a pinch of salt and oil and add in 1 part quinoa. Reduce to a simmer once water is boiling. Cook for 15 minutes, drain and serve!

Traditional Boil & Fluff: Boil two parts water or stock add 1 in part quinoa. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir and cover. Let cook for 15-17 minutes until all water has absorbed and tiny recessed holes appear in the quinoa. Let sit 2-3 minutes, fluff and enjoy!

The Risotto Method: Sauté 1 cup of quinoa in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir gently over medium heat for 4-6 minutes, or until golden and toasty. Add ⅔ cup of stock or water, stir and cover for 4-5 minutes. Repeat 2 more times until you have added about 2 cups of liquid over a 15 minute period. Take off heat let stand for 2 minutes, fluff and serve. Want to get creative? Try adding garlic, onions, lemon peel, or herbs during the process to make a truly exceptional gourmet pilaf!

Keen One stands for "life giving,” “necessary,” and “of premium quality” — which our products are! The idea for the brand was sparked in a classroom at University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. It’s a great story, actually. Read about it!