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What is Teff Grain
teff grain

Flour Recipes with Teff:
Ethiopian Enjera Flat Bread Recipe

The answer to what is Teff grain? Plus delicious teff flour recipes like peanut butter cookies and an Enjera flat bread recipe. Discover why the nutritional value of this tiny seed makes it such a unique healthy food option.

What is Teff Grain?

This African whole grain is native to the arid lands of Ethiopia. Humans began growing it sometime between 4000 and 1000 B.C.. It is both draught and flood resistant, making it the preferred crop for such a rugged environment. In fact, to this day it accounts for almost 25% of Ethiopia's cereal grain crops. Measuring less than 1mm in diameter its grains are easy to lose if dropped. This problem is the source of the grain's name which means "lost" in Arhamic. Although it is the world's smallest whole grain, it is big on nutrition.

teff grain plant

Nutritional Value of Teff

This whole grain is high in protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. It also has a great amino acid profile, including all 8 essential amino acids (the building blocks of the human body). This means its protein is high quality, like milk or meat. It is also rich in calcium and iron. It is free of sugar, too, meaning it has no sugar content.

Although It contains some gluten, it is not of the type that people with gluten allergies would react to. Most gluten intolerant people do not have a problem with this whole grain.

How To Cook?

Add 1/2 cup of Teff grain to 2 cups of water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir and let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes.

teff nutrition
Sweet and Sour. It comes in dark and light varieties; the light being sweeter and more popular. The dark variety is primarily eaten by rural Africans.

It will store up to 1 year, if stored properly.

Where to Buy
Find out where to buy this unique nutritious whole food...

Favorite Recipes

Ethiopian Enjera Bread

Flat bread that tastes like homemade tortillas.


whole teff grain brownies recipe

Moist and delicious whole grain brownies.

More Teff Recipes

Peanut butter cookies, pancakes, polenta...

teff recipes




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