Teff flour

Teff flour is made by grinding teff, a very small grain: each kernel is only about one one-hundred-fiftieth the size of a wheat kernel. Because the grains are so tiny, they are ground whole, so teff flour includes the bran and germ.

The flour has a mild, nutty and slightly sweet flavor and ranges from ivory to dark brown. It contains no wheat gluten, so it cannot make a lofty yeast dough on its own, but it works well in pancakes, cookies, brownies, quick breads and cakes.

For baking, many cooks replace a quarter to a third of the usual flour with teff flour, or mix it into a gluten-free flour blend, which adds a gentle depth and a moist crumb.