Teff

Teff grains

Other names : Eragrostis tef, Xaafii, (Oromo), teff, lovegrass, annual bunch grass, taf (Amharic: ጤፍ? ṭēff); Tigrinya: ጣፍ? ṭaff), mil éthiopien (French 'Ethiopian millet')
Teff, which means “lost” in Amharic, is a type annual grass, a species of lovegrass native to the northern Ethiopian Highlands and Eritrean Highlands of the Horn of Africa. It is grown primarily as a cereal crop in Ethiopia where the grains are ground into flour, fermented for three days then made into “injera” – Sourdough type flat bread. It is also eaten as a porridge and used as an ingredient of home-brewed alcoholic drinks. There are three varieties of Teff - white, brown and red. The grain we carry in bulk is the brown variety. Teff is minute in size, measuring from 0.6 – 1mm in diameter and taking 150 grains to weigh as much as one grain of wheat. Because the grains of Teff are so small, the bulk of the grain consists of the bran and germ

Benefits and uses of Teff are

• High Nutritional Value : Teff is high in protein with a great combination of eight essential amino acids needed for the body’s growth and repair. It has high amounts of calcium (1 cup of cooked teff offers about 1/2 cup of calcium found in cooked spinach), manganese, phosphorous, iron, copper, aluminum, barium, thiamin, and vitamin C (which is not normally found in grains). The iron from teff is easily absorbed and is also recommended for people with low blood iron levels. With eight different amino acids, including a slightly rare one called lysine, teff can deliver substantial support for growth and development. Our bodies need protein to create new cells, repair old ones, and general development throughout our lives. While animal proteins can be helpful, our bodies can more easily break down vegetable proteins into their constituent amino acids, which is why having something like teff in your diet is important for everyone, not just vegetarians and health food fans.
• Gluten-Free : Teff is a gluten-free grain so it can be a great alternative for those living with celiac disease, having gluten intolerance or choosing a gluten-free lifestyle.
• Manage Blood Sugars : If you’re diabetic, you might want to consider adding teff to your diet to control blood sugar levels. Teff contains approximately 20 to 40 per cent resistant starches and has a relatively low glycemic index (GI) that can help diabetics better regulate their sugar levels.
• High in resistant starch, a type of starch that doesn’t break down into sugar. Instead, it passes into the large intestine largely undigested, making it great for appetite control, regulating blood sugar, and improving bowel function.
• High Fibre : The fibre content in this tiny little grain can help you regulate your bowel movements and keep you feeling fuller longer.
• Low In Sodium : Teff is also great for those seeking to lower their blood pressure and maintain a heart healthy diet. Unprocessed teff is a better alternative compared with pre-processed, cooked teff which often comes with preservatives or additives that are high in sodium. If you're worried, always double check nutritional labels.
• Low In Fat : Naturally, this grain is very low in saturated fat.
• Prevents anemia : In Ethiopia, where teff consumption is popular amongst the citizens, there are low rates of anemia. This health benefit of teff is caused by the high contain of iron in contrast with other kinds of cereals like maize.
• Celiac Support: As the amount of people suffering from Celiac disease continues to rise, it will be important to have alternative options to gluten-containing foods. Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can be very painful and dangerous for people who suffer from it, which is why gluten-free options like teff grain, particularly since it’s so nutrient-dense, make for healthy, delicious options for people avoiding gluten.
• Bone Health: Teff contains a wide range of minerals and nutrients, but in terms of calcium, it is truly impressive. Calcium is an essential mineral for bone growth and development, and helps contribute to solid bone mineral density as we age. If you are susceptible to osteoporosis (perhaps due to lifestyle) or have a lack of calcium in your diet, than adding teff can help protect your bone integrity as you age.
• Immune System: Although most grains have a wealth of minerals, they aren’t as well known for having a significant level of vitamins, particularly of vitamin C. As you probably know, vitamin C is a crucial part of our immune system, as it stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells. However, vitamin C is also a key component in collagen, which is needed for the creation of new cells, blood vessels, organs, and muscle tissue. Together with the high protein content of teff grain, the vitamin C found in this useful dietary staple can have a significant impact on your overall health.
• Circulation: Speaking of minerals, the most unusually high mineral content comes in the form of iron. In fact, teff is commonly recommended for patients suffering from anemia. Iron is a key element in our red blood cells, and when there is an iron deficiency in the body, weakness, dizziness, cognitive impairment, muscle cramps, and headaches can often follow (these are symptoms of anemia). If you want to boost your circulation and increase oxygenation to important organ systems and areas of your body, then add some teff grain or injera bread to your diet immediately!
• Diabetes Control: One of the side benefits that is often overlooked from teff grain is its ability to help diabetics manage their condition. By helping to slow the release of insulin into the bloodstream, teff can help diabetics prevent the dangerous spikes and plunges that can occur if you aren’t careful. This is partially due to the fiber content of teff grain, but there are more complex chemical pathways also at work in this regard, although research is still in the relatively early stages.
• Menstrual Concerns: Teff grain has been known as an anti-inflammatory and menstrually soothing agent for generations, so if you tend to suffer from heavy menstrual flow, severe cramping, or other physical manifestations of the monthly event, adding teff to your diet could help reduce the severity and live in comfort.
• Digestive Control: Teff grain has been used for thousands of years as a laxative, or at least a means to speed up the digestive process. This is likely due to the high content of dietary fiber in the grain, which can bulk up stool, stimulate peristaltic motion, and increase the regularity and quality of your bowel movements. Dietary fiber is also able to balance cholesterol levels in the body by eliminating excess omega-6 fatty acids, in addition to relieving constipation, bloating, cramping, and more serious gastrointestinal issues.
• Copper Content: Another mineral in high concentrations in teff grain is copper, which plays important roles throughout our body, including in energy production, growth and repair, enzymatic reactions, nervous system function, and red blood cell creation. Without proper copper levels, many of our body’s systems will begin to fail, so adding a copper boost with teff is never a bad idea.
• Heart Health: Last but not least, teff grain has been shown to be very beneficial for heart health. The low sodium content ensures that the body doesn’t clog up the arteries too much, and the grain has been shown to effectively reduce blood pressure in research studies. This can reduce your chances of suffering from heart attacks or strokes, and reduce the overall strain on your cardiovascular system.