Teff, an important source of iron

Teff comes from a herbaceous plant, so it is not really a cereal although it is very similar, cultivated mainly in Ethiopia for 5000 years, this being the main ingredient of the Ethiopian bread called inyera, a flat bread that accompanies all meals of the country. There are several types of teff, but the most common are red and white. However, studies have shown that red teff is the most nutritious . Let's look at the properties and benefits that have driven the increase of teff flour in our daily diet.

Properties and benefits of Teff flour

Little care for the crop and high nutritional value One of the main characteristics that has driven the cultivation of teff is that it is a very noble plant. It requires little care and resources to grow, however, it contains a high nutritional power . Teff flour contains slow absorption carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium, 8 amino acids including lysine and proteins.

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Does not contain gluten Gluten is a set of proteins contained in some cereals such as wheat, barley, oats or rye that can cause certain rejection by some immune systems. Teff flour does not contain this protein, making it an excellent base for making breads, cakes and other foods suitable for celiacs. High level of fiber It is a flour very rich in insoluble fiber , in this way the digestive process slows down. This is very beneficial for people who suffer from constipation and for those looking to lose weight. Power source It is highly recommended for athletes and for people who have a constant expenditure of energy, both physical and mental. The presence of carbohydrates and proteins in teff flour helps to develop muscles better . Contributes against anemia and bone development Its high level of calcium makes it an ideal food for the correct development of bones during the growth of children. Additionally, the presence of lysine makes it more easily absorbed. On the other hand, the high level of iron makes it very convenient to consume during pregnancy.

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Uses of teff flour

Teff flour is mainly used in culinary tasks such as:

• Thickener, it is ideal to be used in soups, creams or stews.
• Base for meals, it can be used in baking for cookies and desserts as well as to make breads or crepes.

At this point, it is important to note that according to the study carried out by the UPM for the analysis of the nutritional variety of teff, a heat treatment of the flour is recommended before its incorporation into the dough to obtain breads and other products of nutritional quality. . Reference ? CALLEJO, MJ BENAVENTE, E. EZPELETA, JI LAGUNA, MJ CARRILLO, JM RODRÍGUEZ-QUIJANO, M. (March, 2016).?Influence of teff variety and wheat flour strength on breadmaking properties of healthier teff-based breads?. Published in the upm.es magazine. Are you looking for a special flour? Find all the flours at Casa Perris