The rinsing is important - reduces bitterness some... That said, red quinoa is both tastier and less bitter than the white stuff. I cook it in vegetable broth.
I watch food prices pretty closely, and basically, over the last few years, some of what I used to buy has gone up a couple of hundred percent. Which is why I no longer buy certain things. I hadn't bought quinoa in a while, and it went up about 50% from 3-4 years ago. Not even as shocking as the price of zucchini...I pad $2.79 for ONE zucchini 2 years ago, and that's what gave me a heart attack. And it was the height of the season when most people are trying to give it away. I just didn't happen to know anyone.