Quinoa Milk

The Inca called quinoa chisaya mama, the mother grain, and it has fed the peoples of the Andean Altiplano for well over five thousand years, thriving at altitudes where true cereals give up. Technically a seed rather than a grain, quinoa is that nutritional rarity: a complete plant protein, carrying all nine essential amino acids. Its milk carries the same credentials in gentler form. American brand Suzie's makes a ready-to-drink quinoa milk from pure quinoa, while Spain's EcoMil and Amandín offer organic quinoa drinks for European shelves. Expect a light body with a faintly grassy, nutty edge: more character than rice milk, less richness than oat. The grassiness isn't for everyone — one sip will tell you. It suits smoothies, cereal, cooking, and anyone who wants protein with their plants.

Emerging — few commercial brands yet