Once a weird word that no one knew how to pronounce, quinoa has slowly made its way into mainstream eating, often popping up on restaurant menus and available in any grocery store. So what’s the big deal? People love quinoa because not only is it like rice in the sense that it takes on any flavor that you add to it, but it’s also good for you and a great option for vegetarians. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids and is therefore a great source of protein.