Andean Super Food Beer: Cochabamba

Dining in this dim, middle eastern joint where dearly missed falafel would soon be sliding down my throat, the quinoa beer on the menu caught my eye.

Quinoa is indigenous to Bolivia's highlands where many villages subsist on quinoa harvesting and llama herding. Westerners have taken quite a liking to this grain, high in protein and low in carbs, making it hard to track down locally. In most cases, you'll have to go to a tourist restaurant if you want to try traditional dishes like quinoa soup. The reality is that you can charge more for export than for sale locally.

 

A few lowly quinoa grains stayed behind to be converted into this light, effervescent, and fruity brew. If not the best beer in the world its a marvelous change of pace.