Chenopodium formosanum is a Chenopodium species native to Taiwan. It was a key component of the diets of Taiwanese indigenous peoples and remains culturally and culinarily significant.
Chenopodium formosanum is known in the Paiwan language as djulis. In Chinese it is known as 紅藜 (simplified 红藜, literally "red goosefoot", Mandarin hónglí). It is also known as red quinoa.[1] Note that the name "red goosefoot" is also used for the related species Oxybasis rubra. It is also known as "rainbow rice" due to its stripes.[2]
Chenopodium formosanum is a cereal.[3] It has a high fiber and protein content.[1]
Chenopodium formosanum was a key component of the diets of Formosan indigenous peoples, but it had largely disappeared from cultivation by the 2000s. Renewed interest in traditional foodstuffs has led to a revival of production with cultivation in Taitung County expanding from 40 hectares in 2015 to 200 hectares in 2018. This rapid expansion quickly glutted the market and surplus produce had to be stored.[1]
Chenopodium formosanum is part of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity's Ark of Taste.[1] [4]