Special Edition of Linked-Up Friday: Is Quinoa Kosher for Passover?

There is a huge debate in the kosher community regarding quinoa. There seems to be a certain element of disagreement regarding this superfood and its status of kashrut when it comes to the upcoming holiday of Passover.

Before we consult the experts, let’s first discover what quinoa is. It has been in the diet of South Americans for over 3,000 years. The Incas called it the “mother grain,” although technically it is not one. It is a seed from the goosefoot plant, and is only referred to as a grain because it cooks like one. But it better than grain – it’s gluten-free and an excellent source of protein, calcium and iron.

So now that we know what it is, let’s consult the experts on the Internet: Is quinoa really kosher for Passover, or this an unfortunate pipe dream?

At Kashrut.com, they reference the CRC (or Chicago Rabbinical Council) regarding the status of quinoa for Passover. According to them, quinoa was not around for Jews to eat during the time that the concept of kitniyot was developed (read: that certain Sephardic Jews, based on their regional customs, are allowed to eat beans, rice and corn as a part of their diet, whereas Ashkenazi Jews, who had problems with people milling these things with flour, are forbidden to eat them). Therefore, as long as there is certainty the quinoa was not milled with chametz, we are allowed to eat it. Read more at: http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/Quinoa/. They also have another article on it: http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/QuonfusedAboutQuinoa/.

Then there is this article from a blogger called the Rebbetzen’s Husband regarding the interpretation of the Talmud texts regarding whether quinoa is kitniyot. Here is the link: http://rechovot.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-quinoa-kosher-for-passover.html. It’s absolutely fascinating, and definitely worth a read.

I also found this interesting article on the status of kitniyot and Quinoa in an article from Shalom Life. It also has a quote from Susie Fishbein, who many of us in the kosher community are familiar with – after all, she wrote the famous “Kosher by Design” cookbooks: http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/9166/Quinoa:_The_Great_Debate/.

In the meantime, I’m going to get back to finishing my kashering and cleaning. Shabbat Shalom, y’all!