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Quinua Real was established in 2011 with the aim of promoting fair trade practices in Bolivia, respecting traditional and sustainable farming methods that take care of the land and the planet. We want to offer you a product with very few ingredients and with nutrients that can only be found at the magnificent Uyuni salt flats.
We currently operate in Brazil, Spain, Portugal and Southeast Asia.
Our royal quinoa is a variety of quinoa that is only harvested on the Bolivian Altiplano, near to the largest salt desert in the world, the Uyuni salt flats. Located at a height of over 3,600 metres, the quinoa from this area has unique properties that can be seen in the diameter of the grain, the largest of all varieties of quinoa.
All products under the Quinua Real brand are made with organically grown Bolivian royal quinoa, observing the fair treatment of producers which are organised as a group of village associations operating in partnership. The villages allocate the export profits towards sustainable agriculture, infrastructure and to improve the standards of living of local farmers and their families.
Our products originate from organic farming and are gluten-free and vegan certified. Quinua Real's objective is to create products with very few ingredients that are beneficial to your body and without refined sugars.
Our producers are small families and villages from the Uyuni salt flats, located within the departments of Potosí and Oruro in Bolivia. Royal quinoa production is one of two sources of revenue in the area.
The families and villages are part of a partnership system that guarantees a fair price without intermediaries. This price is much higher than that available on Bolivian quinoa black markets.
All of the profits obtained through the sale of royal quinoa are shared and are distributed between the different associations of indigenous communities. The villages allocate the profits to improving infrastructures or to agricultural tools, along with the basic needs of the village such as food and education.
30 % of the profits received by producers are invested in the agricultural cycle. The land that is part of the production base therefore remains sustainable for subsequent harvests, guaranteeing the future of the village.
The royal quinoa production system is implemented manually with very little machinery. Production is fully dependant on weather conditions as it is not controlled by chemical agents.
Families that produce royal quinoa are committed to the biodiversity of nature and use age-old practices that date back to the time of the Incas.
- Fields are left to rest for between 1 to 4 years.
- The fertiliser used is llama manure (a typical animal in the area).
- Pests are controlled using native plant extracts.
- Traditional methods, which are unique to the area, are also used for planting, harvesting, storage and for milling grains.
Reforestation of the area with native plants is one of the key projects of the partnership system to improve the environment.
The royal quinoa arrives at our factory in Játiva (Valencia), Europe's first plastic-free factory.
That is where Quinua Real's products are packaged in 100 % compostable packaging, created with vegetable raw materials that break down within 180 days, thus reducing the environmental impact. This packaging should be placed in the organic waste bin to ensure that it returns to nature through an industrial composting process.
We want to bring the magic of the Uyuni salt flats to your plate.
Quinoa has been the main food source of the Bolivian Altiplano for thousands of years. The altitude, soil and climate found around the Uyuni Salt Flats provide the perfect conditions for the production of quinoa. Known for its characteristic larger seed size and superior nutrition value, royal quinoa is gluten free and offers all the essential amino acids required by the human body.
It is an outstanding source of nutrients, providing whole proteins, slow-release carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
The quinoa plant naturally produces bitter tasting seeds due to the accumulation of saponins. They are removed manually without genetic manipulation through the use of scarifying, scrubbing, water and wind.