Quinoa has a fair degree of color variation between boards ranging from a lighter golden brown to a darker purplish red or burgundy. The wood tends to turn more red/purple with age. The grain is usually interlocked and it has a medium to fine texture. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Quinoa is rated as very-durable in regard to decay. It has a noticeable blunting effect and is hard to work with because of its density and interlocked grain. Staining and gluing of the wood can be problematic. The wood finishes well.