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What You Need To Know About Teff: The Gluten-Free Grain Of The Future!

By Shirley Plant

Have you ever seen teff? One of the smallest grains in the world, teff is a gluten-free food that’s been around for over 4,000 years. It’s native to Ethiopia, and available in both light and dark varieties.

Health benefits 
Teff is a good source of iron, calcium, protein, fiber, and B vitamins. It’s gluten free, so Celiacs can rest easy with teff. It’s also great food source for diabetics as it helps control blood sugar levels.
Where to find it
Teff grain and flour can be found at your local health food store. Like other grains, it should be stored in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator or freezer.
If you’ve ever been to an Ethiopian restaurants, you may have seen a type of bread called enjera, which resembles a tortilla. That’s typically made with teff.
How to cook teff
When cooking teff, add half a cup of teff grain to 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and simmer in a covered pot for 15 to 20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
Stir and let stand uncovered for 5 minutes.
I sometimes cook teff as a breakfast cereal, but its lovely nutty taste makes it great for baking cookies, muffins or pancakes.
Try these delicious teff peanut butter cookies
  • 1 ½ cup teff flour (375 ml)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (50 ml)
  • ¼ cup apple butter (50 ml)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup safflower oil (125 ml)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter (250 ml)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt (1 ml)
Mix nut butter, oil, egg, apple butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a food processor. Do not overmix. Then add teff flour and salt. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Flatten with a wet fork.
Bake 350F for 10 to 15 minutes.

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Shirley Plant

About Shirley

I'm Shirley Plant, nutritionist and cookbook author. My passion is helping you figure out which foods fuel your body and which ones deplete it.

Appearances By Shirley

  • CTV News
  • Rogers TV
  • FoodNetwork.ca
  • The Eat Real Food Health Summit
  • Menopause Wellness Summit
  • The Parenting TeleSummit

Appearances By Shirley

  • CTV News
  • Rogers TV
  • FoodNetwork.ca
  • The Eat Real Food Health Summit
  • Menopause Wellness Summit
  • The Parenting TeleSummit

Shirley's Cookbooks

Finally... Food I Can Eat!

Finally... Food I Can Eat!

A dietary guide and cookbook featuring tasty non vegetarian and vegetarian recipes for people with food allergies and intolerances. Recipes free of gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, wheat, nightshades, sugar and yeast.

Finally... Paleo Food I Can Eat!

Finally... Paleo Food I Can Eat!

Paleo recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert. Recipes free of grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, eggs and almonds. Plus, chapters on the mind body connection by Dr. Eva Selhub M.D and healing your body from chronic illness with Dr. Terry Wahls. M.D.

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