4 Whole Foods That Start With Q

Looking for an extensive list of foods that start with the letter Q? 

Look no further, we’ve got you covered!

Browse this list of 4 foods that start with Q to get some new cooking inspiration, learn more about where each food comes from, and understand the health benefits of each food.

Let’s dive in!

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1. Quail

Quail is a small game bird found primarily in North America, Europe, and Japan. A full-grown quail typically weighs between 3 and 6 ounces.

Quail meat tastes rich and flavorful, in part due to its high fat content. A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of cooked quail meat contains 12 grams of fat (1).

Their eggs are very small — about one-fifth the size of a large chicken egg — and provide a good amount of protein, fat, and vitamin A (2, 3).

Look for fresh or frozen quail meat at specialty butcher shops and natural food stores, or consider purchasing online. Quail eggs are sometimes available at health food markets.

Quail meat can be prepared using just about any method, but is especially delicious when roasted or braised. It pairs well with whole grains, potatoes, and root vegetables.

2. Quark

Quark is a fresh, soft cheese that is most popular in Central and Northern Europe but is growing in popularity in the United States (4).

It is creamy and spreadable, with a consistency similar to yogurt or ricotta cheese, and has a mildly tangy flavor.

Nutritionally, quark is comparable to Greek yogurt — high in protein and low in carbohydrates, with a fat content that varies based on the type of milk used (5, 6).

Quark can be a bit difficult to find in the United States, but your best bet is to look for it at natural food stores.

Enjoy a bowl of quark topped with fresh fruit and granola, or use it to replace yogurt in both sweet and savory recipes.

3. Quince

Quinces are the fruits of Cydonia oblonga, a tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, which also includes apples and pears (7).

They resemble pears but tend to be rather lumpy, with thin skin that changes from light green to pale yellow when ripe. 

Quinces also have very hard, dry flesh and a sour, astringent taste. Because of this, they are rarely consumed raw. 

One quince (92 grams) contains 14 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams (7% DV) of fiber, and 14 mg (16% DV) of vitamin C (8).

Quinces are sometimes available in supermarkets along the West Coast, where they are grown. They can also be purchased online, along with quince products like jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit pastes.

If you’re able to find fresh quince, consider poaching it to serve alongside roasted meats or with ice cream for dessert.

4. Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) refers to the tiny, bead-shaped seeds produced by Chenopodium quinoa, a flowering plant native to South America (9).

It is classified as a pseudocereal, a category of seeds that have similar properties to grains, both nutritionally and in their culinary uses (10).

There are 3 types of quinoa: white, red, and black. White quinoa has a mild, delicate flavor, while red and black quinoa tend to be stronger and nuttier. 

Unlike most grains, quinoa is a complete protein — meaning that it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids — and provides a whopping 8 grams of protein per cooked cup (11, 12).

Quinoa can be found at most supermarkets and natural food stores and is typically available dried (uncooked) and pre-cooked (frozen or in shelf-stable pouches).

For a nutrient boost, add some quinoa to your favorite soups and salads, or use it to make a delicious and filling breakfast bowl.

Final thoughts

From quail to quinoa, there are plenty of delicious foods that start with the letter Q.

We hope this list has inspired you to be adventurous and try some new foods, or to gain a new appreciation for some of the foods you already eat every day.