The Andean grain, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining increasing attention as a future food and forage crop in the world. There is a long history of safe use of the grain in South America. Archaeological studies have shown that quinoa was already known in 3000 B.C. The plant is cold and drought tolerant and it can be cultivated in high altitudes in the mountain areas. Apart from this, its grain is a rich source of a wide range of minerals, vitamins, oil and natural antioxidants. Therefore the objective of the paper is to introduce importance, use, nutritive value and agronomy of the kuinoa.