Nutritional and Organoleptic Characterization of Two Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Cultivars Grown in Quebec, Canada.

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) cultivation and consumption have been increasing globally for its nutritional value and agricultural adaptability, with over 120 countries involved in its production. In Canada, quinoa is cultivated as a specialty crop to increase crop diversity and support agroresilience. This study is the first to examine quinoa cultivars grown under northern Quebec conditions and to provide a nutritional and sensory characterization of two Quebec (Canada) varieties (Sweet and Bitter) in comparison to the Bolivian reference cultivar, Royal White. Analyses included proximate composition, amino acids, fatty acids, phenolics, and anti-nutrients. Sensory evaluations involved hedonic and bitterness ranking tests. Bolivian cultivar had higher omega-3 content, while the Quebec cultivars showed favorable protein and lipid profiles, with better lipid health indexes. Protein quality was comparable between the Bolivian and Sweet cultivars. The overall flavor appreciation was similar among twice-brushed Bitter cultivar and Bolivian samples. The Bolivian sample received a better score for texture. Descriptive flavor data support the development of a quinoa flavor lexicon. Notably, total saponins content, commonly used as a bitterness indicator, did not consistently correlate with perceived bitterness, emphasizing the need for a standardized quantification method for cultivar selection and further investigation into other flavor-contributing compounds.