Quinoa -- It’s All in the Seed

• Quinoa is the seed of the “Chenopodium quinoa” plant, which originated in the Andes. It grows on stalks 3 to 4 feet high that produce large heads of seeds, ranging in color from red or orange to purple, black or green. After harvest, the seeds are dried and packaged for sale. Although quinoa is not technically a cereal grain, the Whole Grain Council classifies it as a "psuedograin" because it is cooked and eaten like a grain.

Couscous –- Specialized Pasta

• Couscous, on the other hand, is not a natural grain, although it is made from grain. Traditional couscous consists of finely ground wheat kernels or semolina rolled in wheat flour to form tiny pasta balls. Other grains, such as barley, may be used. You may find multi-colored couscous in the grocery store that contain coloring or flavoring from vegetables, such as carrots or spinach, or are colored with paprika or artificial coloring.

Nutritional Value

• Of the two, quinoa provides the higher nutritional value to the diet. As a complete protein, quinoa does not need the addition of other protein sources and provides 8.1 grams of protein per 1 cup serving. It is low in both cholesterol and sodium and provides a good source of both magnesium and phosphorus and a very good source of manganese. It also contains 5.2 grams of dietary fiber per 1 cup serving. Couscous, which is also low in cholesterol and sodium, provides a good source of selenium. It provides less protein than couscous at 5.9 grams per 1 cup serving, and it contains less dietary fiber with only 2.2 grams per serving. It is slightly lower in calories and carbohydrates than quinoa.

Price and Availability

• Couscous tends to be less expensive than quinoa and is readily available in grocery stores and health food stores. Quinoa may be more difficult to find because it is not widely grown in the United States and must be imported. It can typically be found in health food stores and may be available in large supermarket chains, especially if the store has a health food or organic food section.