Teff Love!

I have fallen in love with a grain called 'Teff', an Ethiopian grain introduced to me by my sister who recently traveled there...

Teff is a very fine grain - about the size of a poppy seed - that comes in a variety of colors, from white and red to dark brown. It is an ancient grain from Ethiopia and Eritrea, and comprises the staple grain of their cuisines. Ground into flour, Teff is used to make the traditional bread, injera: a flat, pancake-like, fermented bread that complements their exotic spices.

While it grows predominantly in these African countries, with fertile fields and ecologically-sensitive farming methods, Idaho also produces some of the best quality Teff in the world.

I found it at Whole Foods but you can get it online.



This mighty grain might be tiny but it's the staple food of ancient cultures and unrivaled athletes! 

The Tiny grain with Big Health Benefits

Teff leads all the grains - by a wide margin - in its calcium content, with a cup of cooked Teff offering 123 mg, about the same amount of calcium as in a half-cup of cooked spinach. Teff is high in resistant starch, a newly-discovered type of dietary fiber that can benefit blood sugar management, weight control, and colon health. it's estimated that 20-40% of the carbohydrates in Teff are resistant starches. A gluten-free grain with a mild flavor, Teff is a healthy and versatile ingredient for many gluten-free products.




Gluten-Free Grain and Flour 

Teff can be eaten whole and steamed, boiled, or baked, as a side dish or main course. It can also be ground into flour to make an excellent gluten-free flour alternative, and can be used to make waffles, cookies, bread, crackers and an assortment of other baked goods.

Cooking Instructions: Bring 3 cups water to a boil then add 1 cup Teff grains, stirring to combine. Cover and cook over low heat for 15-20 mins, stirring frequently towards the end. Teff is done when tender and all water is absorbed. Once cooked, set aside covered for 10 minutes (the ambient steam helps the Teff to get a crumbly texture in the end). You should have 3 cups of cooked grain and it stays nicely in the fridge for a while. (I recommend keeping refrigerated in glass Tupperware) 

Enjoy and wishing you excellent today and always!