TEFI ETHIOPIAN COFFEE BEANS

Teff is an ancient and interesting grain that is small but highly nutritious. It's simple to prepare and cooks in a similar way to millet or quinoa. Teff is a great addition to your diet in terms of nutrition, taste and variety.

Native to South Africa, teff grass accounts for a quarter of total grain production. Not a newcomer, teff is believed to have originated in South Africa between 4000 BC and 1000 BC. While teff has been used in Northeast Africa for centuries, it was not widely known in other parts of the world until the late 20th century, when farmers began growing it in Australia and central America.

The growing demand for teff has made it more readily available in North America. It can usually be found in health food stores in cereal form or ground into flour.

There are several different varieties of teff, ranging in color from light to dark. White teff has a chestnut-like flavor, while darker teff tastes more earthy with a hint of hazelnut. Historically, white teff has been the most popular (and least widely used) variety. Perhaps due to its relative scarcity, white teff has historically been seen as a status symbol. More common is red teff. Red thrush has a high iron content and has become more and more popular in recent years.