Envoy at 09:51, 17 July 2007

2007-07-17T09:51:02Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Teff
| image = Teff pluim Eragrostis tef.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Poales]]
| familia = [[Poaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Chloridoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Eragrostis]]''
| species = '''''E. tef'''''
| binomial = ''Eragrostis tef''
| binomial_authority = (Zucc.) Trotter
}}

'''Teff''' or '''tef''' (''Eragrostis tef'', [[Amharic language|Amharic]] ጤፍ ''ṭēff'', [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]] ጣፍ ''ṭāff'') is an [[annual plant|annual]] [[Poaceae|grass]], a species of [[lovegrass]] native to the northern [[Ethiopian Highlands]] of northeastern [[Africa]]. It has an attractive nutrition profile, being high in [[dietary fiber]] and [[iron]] and providing some [[protein]] and [[calcium]]. It is similar to [[millet]] and [[quinoa]] in [[cooking]], but the [[seed]] is much smaller.

Teff is an important food grain in [[Ethiopia]] and [[Eritrea]], where it is used to make [[injera]], and less so in [[India]] and [[Australia]]. Because of its small seeds (less than 1 mm diameter), one can hold enough to sow an entire field in one hand. This property makes teff particularly suited to a [[nomadic|seminomadic]] lifestyle.

Common names include teff, lovegrass, annual bunch grass ([[English language|English]]); Ṭeff/Ṭéff ([[Amharic language|Amharic]], both representing the same sound); Ṭaffi/xaffi ([[Oromo language|oromo]], both representing the same sound); Ṭaff ([[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]]); and mil éthiopien ([[French language|French]]). It is also written as ttheff, tteff, thaff, tcheff, and thaft (Anon. 1887). The word "tef" is connected by [[folk etymology]] to the [[Ethiopian Semitic languages|EthioSemitic]] root "ṭff", which means "lost" (because of the small size of the grain).

Teff is believed to have originated in Ethiopia between 4000 [[Common Era|BC]] and [[1000 BC]]. Genetic evidence points to ''E. pilosa'' as the most likely wild ancestor.<ref> Ingram AL, Doyle JJ, The origin and evolution of ''Eragrostis tef'' (Poaceae) and related polyploids: Evidence from nuclear waxy and plastid rps16. ''American Journal of Botany'' 90 (1): 116-122, 2003</ref> A 19th century identification of teff seeds from an ancient Egyptian site is now considered doubtful; the seeds in question (no longer available for study) are more likely of ''E. aegyptiaca'', a common wild grass in Egypt (Germer 1985).

It is adapted to environments ranging from drought stress to waterlogged soil conditions. Maximum teff production occurs at altitudes of 1800 to 2100 m, growing season rainfall of 450 to 550 mm, and a temperature range of 10 to 27 °C. Teff is day length sensitive and flowers best with 12 hours of daylight.

===Cultivation and uses===
Teff has been widely cultivated and used in the countries of Ethiopia, India and its colonies, and Australia. Teff accounts for about a quarter of total cereal production in Ethiopia.<ref>Eleni Zaude Gabre-Madhin, Market Institutions, Transaction Costs, and Social Capital in the Ethiopian Grain Market. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute, 2001</ref> The grain has a high concentration of different nutrients, a very high [[calcium]] content, and high levels of [[phosphorus]], [[iron]], [[copper]], [[aluminum]], [[barium]], and [[thiamin]]. A big advantage, the iron from teff is easily absorbed by the body. It could thus enhance the performance of elite athletes. Teff is high in [[protein]]. It is considered to have an excellent [[amino acid]] composition (including all 8 essential amino acids for humans) and has [[lysine]] levels higher than [[wheat]] or [[barley]]. Because of this variety, it stimulates the [[Bacteria in the human body|flora]] of the [[large intestine]]. Teff is high in [[carbohydrates]] and [[fiber]]. It contains no [[gluten]], so it is appropriate for those with [[gluten intolerance]] or [[celiac disease]].

Interest in new crops has led some Dutch farmers to cultivate teff. In [[2003]], 150 farmers were growing it. By the estimation of the com
pany involved (Soil & Crop Improvement BV), in [[2006]] there could be 50 km² of this African grain in the Netherlands.

== References ==
{{Commons|Eragrostis tef}}
*{{cite book | first=Renate | last=Germer | year=1985 | title=Flora des pharaonischen Ägypten | publisher=von Zabern | location=Mainz | id=ISBN 3-8053-0620-2}}
* National Academy of Sciences. ''[http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309049903/html/ Lost crops of Africa. Volume I: Grains].'' [[Washington, D.C.]]: National Academies Press, 1996. ISBN 0-309-04990-3

== External links ==
{{cookbook}}
* [http://www.soilandcrop.com Soil & Crop Improvement homepage]
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Eragrostis_tef_nex.html Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plant Products]
* [http://www.ethiopianrestaurant.com/injera.html Teff page at EthiopianRestaurant.com]
* [http://www.teffseed.com Dessie Summer Lovegrass Forage variety]
* [http://www.africanspices.nl European importer/distributor of Ethiopian teff]
{{Cereals}}

[[Category:Grasses]]
[[Category:Cereals]]
[[Category:Eritrean cuisine]]
[[Category:Ethiopian cuisine]]
[[Category:Flora of Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]

Teff - Revision history

Envoy at 09:51, 17 July 2007