In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question” what happens if you eat expired quinoa?” with an in-depth analysis of storing quinoa. Moreover, we are going to highlight signs to know if quinoa has gone bad or not.
What happens if you eat expired quinoa?
You will not become ill if you ate expired quinoa. Quinoa is known as a popular grain in the vegan world. It is a gluten-free seed, which is used as a carbohydrate substitute. Quinoa is used in a wide range of dishes like salads and protein shakes.
Due to its high nutritional content, it is considered a superfood and it is associated with many health benefits. Recent studies have found that quinoa helps to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the human body.
Once cooked, quinoa will expire quickly; therefore, you must know how to store it.
How to Tell If Quinoa Is Bad?
Cooked quinoa:
When there is cooked quinoa, the signs to know if quinoa has gone bad or not are usually quite obvious like off smell, signs of mold, or any discolorations that weren’t there before. If you see any of the above-mentioned signs, then immediately get rid of the quinoa.
The Smell:
Just like most grains, quinoa doesn’t contain any smell, but when it is exposing an unpleasant odor similar to bad-smelling feet, you will feel that it’s time to throw it away.
Slimy Texture:
When quinoa starts to rot, its texture will change. When quinoa is cooked, it is naturally a sticky and fluffy dish. But the grains are dry and when you let them fall from a fork, they will float down naturally. However, when quinoa has gone bad, the grains will become slimy, when you pull them apart there will be a drawstring effect, and the stringy-like substance will be pure white.
Mold:
When you see a green or white substance forming on the quinoa, then it means that it has gone moldy. Mold may also form as a fuzzy white substance over the grains of quinoa. Since quinoa is typically white, if the mold is white it might be difficult to see. Therefore, always make sure to properly check the signs of spoilage of quinoa, if you notice any sign, immediately throw it away.
Hard Texture:
As quinoa is a soft grain. When it is cooked, if it goes hard, this is also a sign that it has expired.
How To Store Quinoa:
When it comes to uncooked quinoa, try to keep it completely dry. It is the most important thing.
In package:
You can store it in the package. When it comes in or transfers it to an airtight container after opening. Put it in your pantry or another dark and cool place with a consistent temperature, and you’re good to go.
In the fridge:
Once you cook quinoa, put the leftovers into the fridge.
Give it some time, so it gets cool. 10 to 20 minutes are usually required, but it depends on how much quinoa you have. Then transfer the cooked product into an airtight container or freezer bag and transfer them into the fridge.
How to Store Raw Quinoa?
Storing raw or uncooked quinoa is relatively simple. Store it in the original package or an airtight container. Keep it in a dry, cool, and dark environment, or away from the source of light and heat, such as your kitchen pantry or cabinet.
Can You Freeze Cooked Quinoa?
If you want to store quinoa for a long period (like for several weeks or even months), freezing it is the best method for this purpose. This method is very easy.
- Cook quinoa your favorite way.
- Divide it into meal-sized portions and let it cool down to about room temperature.
- Transfer the quinoa into freezer containers or bags. Add labels if needed.
- Put these bags into the freezer.
Keep quinoa overnight in the fridge. It is the best way to defrost quinoa.
Some other ways:
If you have short time and want to use the contents of the whole bag, there are a few ways to go:
- Microwave frozen quinoa. Make sure to use a glass dish when you are microwaving and add a glass of water to the microwave so quinoa won’t dry out.
- Try to use a non-stick pan on low heat if you want to defrost and reheat the gluten-free “grain”.
Here, you can find more information about quinoa.
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we answered the question” what happens if you eat expired quinoa?” with an in-depth analysis of the storage of quinoa by using different methods. Moreover, we discussed the signs to know if quinoa has gone bad or not.