PUBLISHED 05/05/2008
What It Is: Teff is the world's smallest grain; one kernel is the size of a poppy seed. Like other grains, it's high in carbs (a half cup has 128 calories, 1 gram of fat, 25 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of protein). It gets a nutritional boost over many other grains because of its high level of lysine, the amino acid that our bodies use to maintain muscle tissue.
Who Eats It: Teff originated in Ethiopia, where it's still a staple. It's the main carbohydrate for many of that country's elite runners, including marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele, the 10,000-meter world record holder. Ethiopian runners most often eat teff as injera, a sourdough bread made from teff flour, or as porridge.
How You Can, Too: Teff is easy to prepare as a hot cereal (it has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor). Add one cup of teff to two cups of water or apple juice. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
For additional recipes, go to runnersworld.com/teff.
