Fonio is a small but mighty grain that has been grown in West Africa for over 5000 years, which makes it the longest-cultivated grain in Africa. The grain serves a role very similar to rice or quinoa and is a very integral part of the diet of many tribes across Africa. Fonio is a gluten-free grain that is packed with nutrients and delicious flavor. Both chefs and health experts love this African super grain. It is easy to make, super versatile, loaded with plant-based protein, and provides tons of benefits for digestion, skin, sleep, and more. While fonio hasn’t quite gained mainstream attention like quinoa or oats, more and more people are now discovering this grain and looking for where to buy fonio and its tasty recipes.
What Does Fonio Taste Like?
Due to its nutrient density and endless culinary uses, fonio is now an integral part of many West African recipes. It has a rich, nutty, and earthy flavor and a striking resemblance to cornmeal and couscous. The raw form has a texture similar to sand, but they become light and fluffy after cooking. It serves as a great base to absorb all the flavors around it such as stews and sauces, which are an important part of West African cuisine.
Health Benefits of Fonio:
Fonio is loaded with essential nutrients that you generally can’t find in other grains. This low-carb grain is particularly rich in fibers and iron. But unlike other cereal grains (i.e. rice, wheat, oats, barley, quinoa), it has a high amount of amino acids methionine and cystine, which are crucial for daily bodily functions. Here are some of the important health benefits of consuming fonio:
- It lowers the risk of stroke, type-2 diabetes, and heart diseases
- The amino acids help in the growth and repair of body tissues, skin elasticity, protein synthesis, and hair and nail health
- Helps with sleep
- The antioxidants present in fonio feed the good gut microbes, making it helpful for our digestive system
- Keeps the blood sugar levels stable
How to Cook Fonio:
There are many tasty ways to consume fonio such as fonio-based Dakar curry, fonio chips, traditional West-African Jollof fonio, mushroom pilaf fonio, etc. The golden and basic ratio is to add one cup of fonio to two cups of water or liquid. You can either cook soak fonio in boiling water or cook it on the stove. Once it is cooked, you can your preferred veggies, flavoring, and spices.
Where to Buy Fonio?
After knowing the health benefits, the number of people asking where to buy fonio is increasing rapidly. While there are many places to buy fonio, Juka’s Organic provides the most authentic version of this super grain. We work with women farmers from West African villages to bring you fresh and ethically harvested fonio that has zero preservatives, no GMO, and is unrefined. If you want to buy yourself some high-quality fonio, follow this link: https://jukasorganic.com/products/buy-fonio