Find What is Teff if Cooking With Grains for Benefits of Grain

The question, what is teff is a good one as the unusual name could pertain to just about anything. Teff is an Ethiopian grain that is very small, hence its Aramaic name which means "lost". This grain has been around since ancient times, yet other areas of the world have only recently discovered it. The rising demand for this tasty grass crop and nutritional whole grain has made it easily obtainable in health food stores as flour, flat bread, or in grain form.

Benefits of Grain

The question, what is teff has been answered but what exactly is in it to make you want to consume it? Teff, the smallest whole grain in the world, is low in gluten and does not induce allergies in those that are sensitive to wheat. A healthy grain, it is rich in fiber, protein, and carbohydrates as well as iron and calcium. It has no sugar but is loaded with all eight of the amino acids that the body needs to function and maintain itself. Additionally, when compared to barley or wheat, teff also has higher amounts of lysine, an amino acid vital to the body's survival but not made by the body so it must be obtained via consumption.

Cooking with Grain of Teff

Teff can be substituted for wheat but cooks quite differently, so any wheat recipes need to be modified when teff is used in baking, because it does not react to yeast the way wheat does and will not rise. For instance teff is used by the Ethiopians to make a sourdough-type bread, with the addition of teff that is flat due to teff’s low gluten levels. The teff grain however can be used with much more ease in baking and cooking as a substitute for nuts, seeds, and other grains. Just remember that teff is small so you might only want to use a half a cup of this grain when you would normally use a whole cup of another grain or seed.

To further define what is teff in regards to cooking, you might be interested to know that it is also a thickening agent. You can use it in place of flour or cornstarch to thicken stew, soup, or gravy so that your meal is not only healthier but it also has more flavor. Teff is also a good substitute for oats or other grains in porridge or polenta.

If you would like to try one of the many teff recipes, you can start with by learning what is teff banana pancakes. To make this delicious breakfast, simply gather:

• Two bananas


• Two tablespoons of flax seeds


• A tablespoon of vanilla


• One and a half cups of vanilla soymilk


• A tablespoon of honey


• One and a half cups of teff flour


• One and a half teaspoons of oil


• A tablespoon of baking powder


• A half a teaspoon of cinnamon

Begin by placing the flax seeds in the blender and grind them until they form a powder. Add the soymilk, honey, banana, vanilla, and oil to the flax seeds and blend well. In a large bowl, combine the teff flour, cinnamon, and baking powder before adding the mixture in the blender.

Put the skillet over medium heat and brush on a teaspoon of oil after about a minute or two. Place a tablespoon of batter into the skillet for each pancake. Allow the pancakes to cook for three to four minutes before flipping and then cook for another two minutes.

Now that you know the definition and uses of teff you can start enjoying its health benefits. You can cook dishes to share with family and friends and when they ask you what is teff, your new secret ingredient, you can easily answer with confidence.

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