quinoa and quinoa?

[inquiet]

so i get my quinoa in the bulk bins at my local whole foods. when i usually get it, it's a tiny little ball with a slightly yellowish tinge. i just looked at the last batch i got and it seems to be a little more gray/brown and more like a flat disc with a little squiggle on one side. after some searching online, they both seem to be quinoa. anyone know the difference? is one milled? am i not supposed to be eating the yellow globe part?
and on a slightly related topic i've never washed/soaked said grain. and i've never had a soapy taste either. do some places prewash/soak [other than prepackaged]?