Ontario quinoa experiment

I picked up some West Coast Seed quiona in Feb and grew about 8 plants in the desired space. Plants did well. Grew about 4 feet tall. Picked Sept 6, 2015.
The animals left it alone, but a teeny tiny caterpillar loves it. Looks like cabbage moth, but smaller. I did not spray it with any pesticides (BTK is my usual) and figured that quiona is high in protein because it has 'extras'.

I picked it, dried it, threshed it and winnowed it. But it does not look 'clean' with off colours like grey. So I washed some of it in a sieve and have spread it out on a sheet in my dehydrator. Im going to risk it sprouting over icky quiona. It certainly looks better than the unwashed.

I have attached before washing and after. After dicking about with this for 4 hours. Is it really worth it to I grow a larger quantity. Does anyone in Onterrible have some suggestions why it was grey? I have read that there are saponins on quiona. Does dirt stick to this and how can you get that nice clean golden colour?

I don't have any answers for you but if you're anywhere near Damascus I saw a field of it just south of the town. They might have some expertise.

Thanks, Roy. Hmm. A bit far to go for me and no clue who owns the field.

On an update. The dehydrator dried it quite nicely. It still feels a bit sticky and slightly bitter. Maybe more rinsing is needed. There is still grey ones in there.

More experimentation.

Let us know if you find out more about growing it and why the grey ones. I've wanted to grow it, but I'd like more info before I try it.

I think either its frass from the caterpillars or its still chaff. Either way I threw it in the freezer in a jar. And it will get lots of washing. Haven't cooked any yet. Been too busy canning and eating fresh corn!

Growing it was easy. I planted in seed trays then transplanted late May. I nibbled on the greenery once and awhile for a salad. Slightly spicey but nice. It does look a lot like lamb's quarters, which is also an edible green.

Im going to grow it again next year in pots, so when its near harvest, I will skoot it under my west facing front porch to keep the foliage and seed heads dryer. I use a dolly to haul big pots about. Give it a go, if you love quiona. Nothing to lose but time.

Amaranth next year!

@Donna---I'm a bit late to the game on this one. You've probably already seen this link from Ontario Ag resources: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/field_grain/spec_grains/quin.html

I'm going to propose the possibility that your grey quinoa seeds may have a pathogen seed blight. This type of disease can cause discoloration and quality issues while still producing semi-plump seed. If it is a disease of this type, hard to decide how one might combat the problem in Ontario with the relatively high humidity as compared to drier, high-altitude climes where quinoa normally is grown. You may wish to consult with a group, I think at BYU in Provo, UT that was working on quinoa and relatives and possibly how to grow it as a flat-lander crop. Good luck!