I know my review title is a little harsh, but I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy these little quinoa puffs despite the issues I had with them at first. The biggest problem for me is the flavor, which rather than earthy or nutty just tastes a bit burnt to me. However, I cut them with puffed rice cereal and it really helped cut back on that, and I think in most applications where the puffed quinoa is mixed with something else it will be mild enough to not be of major concern. The texture is also not what I expected - they practically melt in my mouth instead of having a crispy feeling. Once I adjusted my expectations, I was also not bothered by this difference either and when mixed with the puffed rice to make marshmallow treats, it worked very well again. The softer quinoa puffs definitely made the texture of the final treats a little different and more unique, helping to soften the treat slightly and make it easier to pull apart while eating. I really am looking forward to using these in more treats and seeing how other ingredient additions work with these little puffs. Quinoa is a highly nutritious alternative/addition to rice, so being able to use it in a similar way to puffed rice is a nice little boost to the diet and this product helps make that all the easier.
