For centuries, teff, one of the smallest and oldest grains in the human world has always been a main staple ingredient in many people’s meals. It was first domesticated for food manufacturing purposes in more than 3,500 years ago, and since then it is still the richest crop in Ethiopia (though some of the better-known term in the market is actually grown on American soil.) However, because of its rather low nutrient value (and also because it is rather tough to grow) and because it is rarely harvested, this grain has become somewhat of a rarity and is consequently very expensive as well.
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The main reason why this grain lacks in nutrition is due to the fact that it is extremely difficult to grow. Teff needs a lot of moisture and warmth (especially when it is grown in warm climates) in order to flourish; thus, in areas where temperatures stay stable for a long period of time, it is not only the primary source of food but also the second most important after meat. Also, teff is relatively expensive as well, coming in around $5 per pound for the larger, grade A1 blocks (which are slightly yellowish in color) and much more for the grinder (which is generally made out of unbleached flour). For these reasons, staff is usually only grown on small farms, mostly in areas where the climate allows for good growing conditions: in other words, not too far from the ocean, not too high up in mountains, etc… Most people who eat teff do so in countries where it is grown in large quantities: particularly Egypt, which seem to have the highest per capita consumption of any grain in the world, and which is arguably the richest place on the planet.
But despite all these shortcomings, teff is still a good source of protein, mineral salts and amino acids. For example, teff is an excellent source of methionine (a sort of amino acid that helps the body recover from stress), lysine (a sort of cheap vitamin) and arginine (which promotes proper blood flow and also helps the body produce its own serotonin, a sort of neurotransmitter that relives pain and depression and may act as a sort of mood balancer). Teff is also a rich source of potassium and sodium, together with potassium and sodium (which help the brain to function properly), and magnesium (which help regulate cardiovascular activity and can help prevent hypertension). In short, the text is a complete protein, providing a wide range of nutrients to the body.