Is Teff the new quinoa?
This new kid (well, old really) on the block is creating a storm in the superfood world.
This ancient grain, gluten free by nature caught my eye a year or two back. As good as quinoa is, it has a strong flavor and proves rather difficult to bake with. My eyes lit up and taste buds had a dance when I first used Teff in the kitchen whilst mucking around with gluten free Tanker Topper recipes. I had found a flour that ticked all of my boxes, and more! I was on the phone to Fran straight away to tell her about our new gluten free super POWER TANKER TOPPERS.
Teff, a traditional Ethiopian grain comes in a variety of colours, from white and red to dark brown. It is about the size of a poppy seed and thrives in tough climates. Teff is a staple in traditional Ethiopian cooking. They most commonly make it into a wonderful, healthy fermented sourdough flatbread call injera.
Why do I love Teff?
- Highly nutritious and boasts a wealth of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients including
- Magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, choline,
- B1, B2, B3, B5, B6
- Energy enhancing
- B vitamins and magnesium are some of the key nutrients for the Krebs cycle which is a series of chemical reactions that go on to produce ATP – the molecule of energy in your body. Along with the B vitamins and Magnesium, Teff also contains a well absorbed form of iron. We know iron helps to support energy production and also reduce tiredness and fatigue.
- Easy to digest
- Being gluten free, this grain is a winner for coeliac’s or anyone wishing to reduce their gluten intake. It is high in resistant starch which is incredibly important for the overall health of the large intestines and for regulating bowels. It also means it is a satisfying grain, helping to keep you fuller for longer and therefore may assist in weight control.
- A bonus for your bones and teeth
- A cup of cooked teff offers 123mg of calcium. About the same as what you would get in half a cup of cooked spinach. It is leading the way for grains in terms of calcium content for sure. Wonderful for vegans and anyone looking to up their calcium intake.
- Blood sugar balancing
- If you are looking to improve your bloody sugar levels then it is important to eat quality, high fibre grains, low glycemic grains. Teff ticks these boxes and it can help to prevent blood sugar highs and lows, it keeps your bloody sugar levels ticking along nice and evenly.
- Immune boosting
- Not many grains can boast about their vitamin c levels, but Teff can! Vitamin C is a key vitamin for a healthy immune system and strong adrenal (stress) glands. It is also needed for the production of collagen which is vital for the creation of new cells, blood vessel, organs and muscle tissue.
- Protein punch!
- Teff is rich in essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Therefore, it will help keep you fuller for longer (hearing some repetition here!) and it will also help to support muscle growth and repair.
- Versatility and easy to use
- Teff, in its whole grain form can be eaten whole, steamed, boiled, or baked. When ground into a flour it is an excellent gluten free flour alternative and can be incorporated in to recipes to make anything from breads, muffins and cookies.
Much like buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth, teff is technically a seed, with more nutritional value than the average grain. Go Teff!
Be sure to check out our Power Tanker Topper – Currant & Coconut. It contains teff flours as well as loads of my other favourite superfood ingredients including buckwheat, quinoa, flaxseed, chia and coconut oil. It is a show stopper!
To find more about Teff head to:
https://teffco.com/what-is-teff/
Jo X