What is more, I discovered that it all came not from its origin Ethiopia, but from the US where the seed is commercially cultivated. It is suitable for districts with dry zones in Karnataka. South African J. [6] Teff is similar to millet and quinoa in cooking, but the seed is much smaller and cooks faster, thus using less fuel. [22] However, it does not tolerate frost. The bottom line. [25] The seeds are easy to store, as they are resistant to most pests during storage. In 2014 I noticed that some health food stores around the City of London where I worked had Teff on their shelves. [6] Moreover, teff can be used to prepare alcoholic drinks, called arak'e or katikalla[6] or beer, called t'ella or fersso[18]. The seeds produce a harvest proportionally hundreds of times greater than wheat or other staple grains. Teff can be eaten as a breakfast porridge in similar consistency to cream of wheat that is topped with berries and chopped nuts. I was born and brought up in a small farming village called Jiga in northern Ethiopia’s Rift Valley Highlands. Teff is a staple in the economy and daily life of Ethiopia, yet… [5] Teff is a C4 plant,[4] which allows it to more efficiently fix carbon in drought and high temperatures, and is an intermediate between a tropical and temperate grass. Its flour is quickly becoming a popular gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. More than 6 million Ethiopian households grow teff, and in 2012, the national production was valued at $1.6 billion. Teff (Eragrostis tef) as a raw material for malting, brewing and manufacturing of gluten-free foods and beverages: a review. Although technically a seed from the Eragrostis tef plant, commonly called Williams' lovegrass or annual bunch grass, teff functions as a whole grain, similar to barley, wheatberries, and quinoa.Unlike wheat, teff, a type of millet, is a gluten-free grain choice suitable for most people with celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten. Agribusiness, 34, 668–684. Teff, produced by 48 commercial farms throughout the country, is intended to exploit the comparative advantage the country has in the international market because of the special flavor and taste of the teff it produces according to Khalid Bomba (PhD), the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency’s chief executive officer (CEO). Teff takes its name from the local Ethiopian word tefa for “lost” because the seed is so small that it can't be found when dropped on the ground. [21] It is a source of animal feed, especially during the dry season, and it is often preferred over straw of other cereals. Brink, M. (Martin), Belay, G. & Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (Program). [17], Teff is a multipurpose crop which has a high importance for the Ethiopian diet and culture. Eragrostis tef is a self pollinated tetraploid[4] annual cereal grass. It is the most ancient domesticated grain having originated between 4000 BC and 1000 BC. [7] The plant height varies depending on the cultivation variety and the environmental conditions. Diversifying crops for food and nutrition security - a case of teff. In 2003, a Dutch company, Health and Performance Food International (HPFI), paired with the Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity Conservation to introduce teff to European markets. Teff, one of the smallest, 1/32 inch in diameter seed, is grown by over six million farming households in Ethiopia. • Teff has been recommended to patients suffering from anemia. Very small seeded; about 1/6th the size of alfalfa seed, most teff seed is coated to make it more compatible with planting equipment. Teff being drought-resistance rice is a staple food crop of Ethiopia, and the grain dates back to the Abyssinian civilisation. & Kunert, K. (2013). [24] In Ethiopia, harvest lasts from November to January; harvest is usually done manually, with sickles. Gebremariam, M.M., Zarnkow, M. & Becker, T. (2014). [15], Teff is the most important commodity produced and consumed in Eritrea and Ethiopia: The flat pancakes injera provide livelihood for around 6.5 million small farmers in the country. J. [6] As for many ancient crops, teff is quite adaptive and can grow in various environmental conditions;[6] particularly, teff can be cultivated in dry environments, but also under wet conditions on marginal soils. Not only does Teff help people suffering from Celiac disease, IBS or heart problems but it can aid weight loss, improve circulation, support bone health and boost the immune system. It should all be a distant memory now, as I left it all for Europe having won a university scholarship nearly three decades ago. Teff seed is very small and as raw, untreated seed averages 1.3 million per pound & is difficult to sow, for this reason, most growers prefer coated seed. Injera is a spongy sourdough pancake. In Ethiopia, Teff is mostly used to make injera – a sourdough, spongy flatbread similar in width to a pancake. [13] Teff is believed to have originated in Eritrea and Ethiopia between 4000 BC and 1000 BC. [24] Seeds are either left at the soil surface or slightly covered by a thin layer of soil, but must not be planted at a depth greater than 1 cm. 24.05.17. Traditionally used to make injera. It is estimated that Ethiopians get two-thirds of their protein from Teff in their diet. [35] Areas of further development include: "(i) improving productivity of teff; (ii) overcoming the lodging malady; (iii) developing climate-smart and appropriate crop and soil management options; (iv) developing tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and soil acidity; (v) developing suitable pre- and post-harvest mechanization technologies suitable for smallholder farmers as well as commercial farms; (vi) food processing and nutrition aspects with special attention to the development of different food recipes and value-added products; (vii) developing crop protection measures against diseases, insect pests and weeds; and (viii) improving or strengthening socio-economics and agricultural extension services. Teff is a gluten free seed that has a rich, nutty flavour. • Teff is a good source of Copper which provides the body with energy and helps heal muscles, joints and tissue fibre. Teff Seed. The base of all Ethiopian meals is teff injera. Find out how to buy teff, how to store it, and what you can cook with teff grains or flours. Teff is inherent to Ethiopia's national culture and identity[43], and the government of Ethiopia has expressed intent to hold Roosjen accountable to the fullest extent of international patent law, as well as to regain ownership over international markets of its most important food.[44]. In: Brink, M.; Belay, G. (eds), PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa/Ressources végétales de l'Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. For thousands of years the Ethiopian people have used Teff as the main ingredient of their staple food ‘Injera’ - a sourdough bread with spongy texture. Teff seeds can stay viable several years if direct contact with humidity and sun is avoided. [17] Because of its potential as an economic success, a few other countries, including the US and some European countries, are already cultivating teff and selling it on domestic markets. [24] Teff germination generally occurs between 3 and 12 days after sowing. [7] Teff is a fine-stemmed, tufted grass with large crowns and many tillers. The cultivation of teff is labor-intensive and the small size of its seeds makes it difficult to handle and transport them without loss. [16] In 2006, the Ethiopian government outlawed the export of raw teff, fearing export-driven domestic shortages like those suffered by South American countries after the explosion of quinoa consumption in Europe and the US. [7] In Ethiopia, teff is mostly produced during the main rain season, between July and November. [24] Teff is traditionally sown or broadcast by hand, on firm, humid soil. And this shows that price of teff is in increasing trajectory even without outside demand, he told The Reporter. [17] Lack of mechanization is a barrier to potential increases in teff exports. Biol. 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