In this section you can find 19 Fonio Suppliers in Africa registered on our portal. It’s rich in proteins, containing amino acids that are absent in most comparable cereals. All Rights Reserved. Here I share favourite recipes I love with flavours from the African continent. Is fonio the new quinoa? “Traditional processing is laborious and time-consuming, especially when compared to other grains,” explains Thiam, adding that the time taken to thresh and husk fonio meant it struggled to make it to commercial markets. Fonio will be the next quinoa in America, if Pierre Thiam has his way. Red and brown teff are faster maturing grasses and are superior for fodder. Fonio grows across the Sahel, the semi-arid band between the Sahara desert and lush forests to the south. For thousands of years West Africans have cultivated it across the dry savannas. In Northern Nigeria, Fonio goes by the name Acha. To give you an idea of scale, 1,000 grains of either white (more common) or black fonio weighs a puny 0.5 grammes (0.018 ounces), compared to 1,000 grains … Meet fonio, an ancient “miracle grain” native to Senegal that’s versatile, nutritious and gluten-free. This portal is an active B2B website for all Food Suppliers and their products like Food. With the help of chef-entrepreneur Pierre Thiam, fonio, an ancient grain from West Africa is poised for a comeback. Indeed, it was once their major food. Teff requires an average rainfall of as low as 350 mm per annum, and the grain teff can grow with rainfall as high as 2 500 mm per annum. The companies are divided into suppliers for Fonio Bran, Fonio Flakes, Fonio Flour, Fonio Groats, Whole Fonio and more. The main reason you are probably here is to learn about the health benefits of fonio. Food1.com is the international website for the worldwide Food Industry. You’ve just been upstaged by a relatively obscure and ancient grain from the heart of sub-saharan Africa.. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Native to southeast Senegal, fonio is the latest addition to the superfood roster. But this humble, mostly unknown grain has a massive mission: Stimulate the economy in … It gets it name from the wolof word foño, a tribe in Senegal. Digitaria exilis, referred to as findi or fundi in areas of Africa, such as The Gambia, with English common names white fonio, fonio millet, and hungry rice or acha rice, is a grass species. Fonio is to West Africa what quinoa is to the Andes: an indigenous grain steeped in ancient history, essential to the culinary story of the region. For thousands of years West Africans have cultivated it across the dry savannas. After the 5 minutes has passed, turn off the heat and keep the pot in place. Our recent article on fonio talks about its origins, and how it is traditionally grown only in the Sahel region of Africa — a narrow belt that runs south of the Sahara and north of … Gluten-free, nutritious and incredibly light: fonio is a superfoodie’s dream. Fonio is the term for two cultivated grasses in the genus Digitaria that are notable crops in parts of West Africa. Described as having a “delicious, nutty and earthy flavour” by celebrated New York-based Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam, fonio is also well regarded for its versatility; it can be substituted for almost every other cereal. For centuries, women in West Africa’s cereal belt have relied on fonio, a small, nutty grain, to feed their families. It can be ground into gluten-free flour and used to brew beer. In this passionate talk, chef Pierre Thiam shares his obsession with the hardy crop and explains why he believes that its industrial-scale cultivation could transform societies in Africa. Its extensive roots help it draw water from deep underground and secure the topsoil from erosion. […] I have been enjoying it with fonio too and it is absolutely lovely. The two most common varieties are white fonio ( Digitaria exilis ) and black fonio ( Digitaria iburu ). After the 5 minutes has passed, turn the stove off and let the fonio sit COVERED for 10 mins. Archeologists have found fonio buried in tombs inside the Egyptian pyramids, indicating its importance in the cuisine going back centuries. Cover the pot till the broth comes to a boil, 1/2 tsp each of turmeric, black pepper and garlic powder, Take the frozen veggies out in a bowl to thaw at room temperature, In a pot mix together the spices and broth/water, After ten minutes, you can open the cover and then add the frozen now thawed veggies. This plain fonio is just as good as quinoa or brown rice or even better in your buddha bowl or grain bowls. Fonio is an ancient grain—in fact, having been cultivated for more than 5,000 years, it may be Africa’s oldest cultivated cereal crop. Now, Adja Aissata Aya Ndiaye, a farmer in Kedougou in southeastern Senegal, thinks fonio could become a staple across the continent, and eventually around the world. In addition to just plain fonio, you can make these three super easy and creative modifications that can elevate the grain. Fonio Suppliers in South Africa. In Northern Nigeria, Fonio goes by the name Acha. Aside from all the great things about fonio, I think it is a fantastic grain because of how quickly it cooks and how well it can soak up any flavour you give it. In this passionate talk, chef Pierre Thiam shares his obsession with the hardy crop and explains why he believes that its. Called “the seed of the universe” by Mali’s Dogon people, fonio is indeed a powerful food. Fonio grown throughout the region in countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and Senegal while Black Fonio, one of the oldest harvested grains, is found in Nigeria, Benin and Togo. He’d never seen it in Dakar, where grains that are not grown in the country, such as wheat, are available on every shop corner. Fonio: the grain that would defeat quinoa as king among foodies. Grains like teff, fonio, pearl and finger millet originated in sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa and North Africa. It is quite a fine grain, with very small individual pieces that are hard to distinguish raw. Our recent article on fonio talks about its origins, and how it is traditionally grown only in the Sahel region of Africa — a narrow belt that runs south of the Sahara and north of … Then you can open it and fluff it up with a fork, 3/4 cup veggie broth or water (salt free is best to have better control of salt), 1/4 cup tomato stew (recipes available in free ebook, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (you can add more if you like spicy food), In a pot mix together the spices, broth/water, and tomato stew and let it come to a boil. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Processed fonio, the new kid on the superfood block. Get to know the indigenous spices used a, (Click here to shop from my favourite store), Why West-African Cuisine is Plant-Based Friendly, Vegan Kontomire Stew - The Canadian African Ghanaian Delicacy, 10+ African Vegan Holiday Recipes - The Canadian African, If you are in the US, please check out Yolele Foods, If you live in Europe, mainly UK, make sure to check out Aduna. The plant can thrive in poor growing conditions, and it only takes six to eight weeks to grow and harvest the grains. Delicious, gluten-free and jam-packed with nutrients, fonio could also be the key to ending to hunger and poverty in the region in which it’s grown. In areas where desertification has ruined land and job opportunities, and forced inhabitants to leave in search of food and employment, fonio thrives. Fonio is getting popularity not in Africa alone but the world due to the health benefits it gives. Holiday traditions ar, REUPLOAD! By Emily Heil Dec 27, 2019 An individual grain of fonio is tiny, like a speck of sand. If realised, this ancient ‘miracle’ grain would be easier to get hold of, and would give hope of a successful future to its impoverished growers. Fonio (Digitaria exilis) sometimes called Acha is grown in West Africa for centuries.For a long time, it was of marginal importance as a cereal due to its small seeds, but is now the object of renewed interest as consumers begin to recognize its flavour and nutritional qualities. If you want to read about the original jollof rice recipe, click here for the post, This recipe is a play of the Ghanaian oil rice/pilaf using flavours I became more familiar with during my time in Tanzania like coriander seeds, black peppers with some Ghanaian aromatics like onion, garlic and ginger. But if you are like me, you are extra and like to go the extra mile. Outside of the Kedougou region, finding fonio in a restaurant is a lottery: season, price and raw luck tend to determine whether it’s on the menu. Gauteng, 1609. After ten minutes, you can open the cover and fluff the fonio, 1/3 cup dry mushrooms (oyster or shiitake are best), 1/2 tsp each of coriander seeds finely grounded and black pepper, 2 cardamon pods finely grounded (I usually grind the whole spices in a mortar with a pestle), 1/8 scotch bonnet pepper (completely optional), In a pot, sauté the onion, garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet pepper, spices and mushrooms in the coconut oil. Now, it is used in tabbouleh-style salads, as a replacement for couscous. In fact, according to the National Research Council, it has been documented that pearl millet was domesticated over 4000 years ago in West Africa. A perfect grain for the semi-arid lands of the Sahel, it has long been relied upon as the staple that got the populations of Burkina Faso, Senegal, etc. Lower the heat till low and let the fonio cook for 5 minutes. In terms of texture, fonio is akin to couscous. That's set to change. Meanwhile, for those who haven’t had the luxury of travelling to Senegal (or other parts of the Sahel where fonio is cultivated), Pierre Thiam is your shining light. Per … Fonio belongs to the millet family, and it is a superfood based on its nutritional profile. They all follow the same cooking method as just plain fonio so you will notice a trend. Fonio is a type of millet that’s widely consumed in West African countries. This way you maintain a lot of flavour. He launched Yolélé Foods in 2017, which specialises in fonio and sells its products on Amazon, Thrive Market and selected Whole Foods stores. If you live in Canada, you can purchase some from online African Stores. Vegan roast with teff stuffi, Happy Friday + Add companySelect all. Other types of millet include fonio and finger millet (rapoko). Food1.com is the international website for the worldwide Food Industry. A high calcium content helps build strong bones. Once the time has passed, fluff the fonio with a fork, I like to serve these with some fried or baked plantains, This goes well with a super simple veggie salad or steamed vegetables, For protein source, my lentil peanut stew, My toppings change everytime depending on the veggies and plant based protein I have available to me. Fonio is an ancient grain—in fact, having been cultivated for more than 5,000 years, it may be Africa’s oldest cultivated cereal crop. If you’re looking to cook it yourself, Kermel and Sandanga markets are the best bets, while a number of Dakar-based African food retailers, such as Africa Gourmet in Ngor and Les Saveurs du Sahel in Yoff, also stock fonio on a regular basis. In this blog post, you will learn all about fonio, how to cook it and three simple and tasty fonio recipes to try, Fonio is a small but mighty grain indigenous small millet to the Sahel regions Africa (running from as far west as Senegal to just south of Egypt). industrial-scale cultivation could transform societies in Africa. Black fonio is really only grown in certain countries like Nigeria. White fonio can reach a height of 30–80 cm (11.8–31.5 in) depending on variety and is an annual plant, harvested after one growing season. However, with the advancement of mechanised threshing methods, as well as better ways to separate contaminants such as sand or gravel, fonio has begun to enjoy a renaissance. They are millets with small grains. This super-speedy turnaround time could revolutionize the economy for countries that market the grain internationally. This African grain, native to the regions just south of the Sahara, has been given that label. It’s also a top-notch carbohydrate: it’s very high in fibre, easily digestible and releases its energy slowly. A high Fibre content makes it easy to digest for children. But despite its many incarnations, in Senegal the ‘miracle grain’ is most commonly found fluffed up like rice and served with peanut sauce (mafé). Fonio is consumed by various tribes across the Sahel and used in different side dishes. That being said, you have a better chance in the larger traditional Senegalese restaurants in Dakar, such as Chez Loutcha and Le Djembe in Plateau and La Calebasse in Mamelles. An ancient African grain that has been cultivated for over 5,000 years in the scrubland of the Sahel, fonio is a member of the millet family and has the appearance of shrunken couscous. Honestly I feel like Friday has lost, 12 African inspired vegan holiday dishes An ancient African grain that has been cultivated for over 5,000 years in the scrubland of the Sahel, fonio is a member of the millet family and has the appearance of shrunken couscous. But when cooked it almost quadruples in size, which means more buck for your money. It’s the time of the year where food is truly th, THE BEST PANCAKES I have had in a very very long t, Now live on the blog. Fonio is a type of millet — there are two species of the grain, white fonio being the most widely consumed. In this section you can find 19 Fonio Suppliers in Africa registered on our portal. The companies are divided into suppliers for Fonio Bran, Fonio Flakes, Fonio Flour, Fonio Groats, Whole Fonio and more. One crop that Sylla believes holds promise, is fonio, one of the oldest cultivated cereals in Africa. Without further ado, here are three super easy and simple ways to make fonio. Thiam stumbled across fonio in the southeast Senegalese region of Kedougou. One such food is fonio. You’ve just been upstaged by a relatively obscure and ancient grain from the heart of sub-saharan Africa. TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Forget quinoa. Highlighting Indigenous African ingredients in my cooking has become a strong passion of mine. As a proud Ghanaian, enjoying jollof has become a norm for me and I am always trying to find other healthier grains to use in the place of rice. With deep root systems, this ancient grain prevents soil erosion and needs little water. Fonio is a highly nutritious African grain that is gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. Fonio is cultivated in arid areas of Africa where other crops struggle to survive; areas without irrigation or fertile soil; areas where water is in short supply. The grain serves a role very similar to rice in tribes where it is a much more integral part of the diet. Is fonio the next supergrain to take the planet by storm? Environmental Impact Fonio is grown in the Sahel region of West Africa, south of the Sahara Desert in arid soil that’s not highly arable. Meet fonio, an ancient "miracle grain" native to Senegal that's versatile, nutritious and gluten-free. Outside of Africa, however, fonio is virtually unknown. The chef and restauranteur has big plans for the little grain. Excluding it from a collection of Senegalese dishes just wasn’t an option. Among those who do know it, it has a reputation as a difficult grain to harvest. DON’T touch it until the 10 mins pass. Even though few other people have ever heard of it, this crop still remains important in areas scattered from Cape Verde to Lake Chad. Fonio (pronounced ‘phone-yo’) is the new kid on the superfood block. Fonio’s real ‘super’ traits, however, relate to its production, which has the potential to save many lives. Then there’s the magician’s hat of nutrients to pick from: calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese and twice the iron of brown rice. With the ability to grow in very poor, dry conditions such as Kédougou, a region that Pierre Thiam in his TED Talk describes as “one of the poorest regions in Senegal”,… It is the most important of a diverse group of wild and domesticated Digitaria species known as fonio that are harvested in the savannas of West Africa.The grains are very small. Grown only in the Sahel region of Africa — a narrow belt that runs south of the Sahara and north of the savannah from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, fonio has never been formally cultivated, and is uncommon outside of that region. Neither was leaving his fanbase high and dry. After threshing, a woman winnows fonio to separate dirt and grain. Grown only in the Sahel region of Africa — a narrow belt that runs south of the Sahara and north of the savannah from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, fonio has never been formally cultivated, and is uncommon outside of that region. Make sure to check for salt, Once it starts to boil, add the fonio and cover the pot. The chief of a Bedik village in south-east Senegal holds aloft fonio grains. Teff is the world’s smallest grain, at approximately 0.7–1% the size of a wheat kernel (18). Because of its good nutritional qualities, teff is most commonly produced as a hay crop in South Africa. I find that there are different instructions on how to cook fonio but honestly I like to cook it like quinoa, more steaming than boiling because you can cook it without using too much water. Three Easy and Tasty Ways to Cook Fonio - The Canadian African I wanted a fonio recipe that was also nice and bright hence the turmeric. https://www.thespruceeats.com/cereal-grains-of-africa-39517 White fonio may also be referred to fonio, hungry rice or hungry millet and originates from West Africa. In doing research for his first cookbook, he came across fonio, an ancient grain that may be the oldest cultivated cereal in Africa (with a history going back at least 5,000 years). But drought-resistant fonio flourishes in that setting. A crop from West Africa could be the newest superfood on the market The leaves are blade like or linear and tapering and can reach up … We might, The holiday season is all about maintaining tradit, Many people have asked me what Christmas tradition, Tis the season for hot cocoa, truffles, advent cal, Testing out some recipe for my new ebook which sho, Sundays are for soups and this Sunday is no differ, The holiday season is here! 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