BUCKWHEAT AND ITS ALLIES. 113 



The ash is rich in potash and phosphoric acid, containing 

 one-third its weight of each of these constituents. 



The nutrient-ratio is i : 3, and the nutrient-value 78. Were 

 it not for the rather high proportion of indigestible fibre present 

 in Quinoa seed, it would constitute a food of remarkable rich- 

 ness. As it is, it equals several of the pulses in its percentage 

 of albuminoids, while it contains no insignificant amount of oily 

 matter. There is considerable nutritive resemblance between 

 Quinoa seeds and oats ; both products are capable of sustaining 

 life in a healthy condition without the aid of other foods. 



Quinoa seeds should be soaked for a short time in water 

 and boiled quickly therein ; then this water should be thoroughly 

 drained away on a sieve or colander, and the cooking finally 

 completed in another portion of fresh water. By this treatment 

 the bitter principle present in one of the chief varieties of this 

 seed is removed. 



Quinoa seeds are extremely small; 15,000 weigh no more 

 than an ounce. 



