Biology

Difference Between Quinoa and Couscous Explained

Sometimes, there are foods that people confuse as they look or taste like. Two of these are quinoa and couscous. Both of those look quite similar but they are actually different. The Difference between Quinoa and Couscous is that quinoa is a small seed while couscous is pasta, which is granular in nature.

Quinoa: Origin and Family.

Quinoa is the seed of a plant that is in the same family as spinach. This plant is called goosefoot. Even though it is not a true grain, it was called the ‘mother of all grains’ by Native Americans. The plant was initially cultivated in South America, thousands of years ago.

It is much richer in fiber and protein as compared to pasta. If you cook one cup of quinoa, this contains 5 grams of fiber and 8.14 grams of proteins. The total calorie count of one cup is 222.

Since quinoa is gluten-free, it is safe for people who suffer from celiac disease. Quinoa is great for people who are on a vegetarian diet as it contains 9 essential amino acids and is a source of magnesium and iron.

Quinoa can be cooked in just 10 to 15 minutes, which is even quicker than rice. In some places, it is eaten as breakfast. Some people also eat it instead of rice. Quinoa is eaten just like more other grains and is also cooked like them.

Couscous: Origin and Family.

Couscous is made of semolina and water. Back in the day, it was the staple food for North Africans. Nowadays, it is the national dish of Morocco. It is made by rolling semolina what flour in water until small pellets are formed.

To cook this, the pellets are steamed and made cooked like rice. Couscous is very popular in the Middle East. It is used in different recipes for breakfast and other meals of the day.

A Difference between Quinoa and Couscous is that couscous filled with gluten while quinoa is gluten-free. Couscous is rich in gluten since it is made with semolina. It has carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. As compared to quinoa, couscous is not as rich in iron and magnesium. It also has a low protein count.

In the Middle East, couscous is used as a base in dishes while in some places, it is eaten as breakfast. Couscous can be eaten in any way that rice is eaten in. It is also eaten as pasta since it is a granulated pasta. Couscous and quinoa can be swapped in any recipe but you will have to change the other directions too.

Summary of the Difference Between Quinoa and Couscous:

  • The Difference between Quinoa and Couscous is that quinoa is rich in protein and fiber while couscous is lower in these nutrients.
  • Couscous also has lower fat count as compared to quinoa.
  • Another Difference between Quinoa and Couscous is that couscous is made with semolina while quinoa is the seed of a plant.
  • While quinoa is gluten-free, couscous is rich in gluten because it contains semolina.
  • They both have a similar nutty flavor and have smaller grains.

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