It only took about 7,000 years, but quinoa has finally arrived in the mainstream.

Better late than never for the ancient whole grain first cultivated in the Andes region of South America. The nutritional powerhouse packs protein and carbohydrates – two essential macronutrients the body needs in large amounts.

In the 2010s, quinoa started to turn from a trendy so-called superfood to a pantry staple. The United Nations declared 2013 “the international year of quinoa”.

According to the UN, only eight countries were growing quinoa in 1980. By 2015, that number was 95.

Eating quinoa is one of the many ways to get protein from non-animal sources, said Dr Maya Vadiveloo, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Rhode Island in the United States.