Quinoa could become tomorrow's rice, according to Culinary Trend Mapping Report, published by market researcher Packaged Facts,
Beyond its health benefits, chefs love quinoa's versatility, as it cooks in half the time and can substitute for rice in many recipes. Its flavor is slightly nutty to neutral, making it the perfect base for a variety of ingredients. While only 16 percent of surveyed consumers heard of quinoa, nearly all who had eaten it said they'd try it again. "Quinoa nicely fits the bill for today's eating environment," says Don Montuori, acquisitions editor for Packaged Facts. "It satisfies the protein-cravers, offers the benefits of a whole grain and gives the carb-lovers an excuse for openly indulging."