Definition

Noun: 1. A type of cereal grass: Teff is a very small-grained annual grass (Eragrostis tef) native to the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is cultivated primarily for its edible seeds, which are used to make flour. 2. A staple food grain: The seeds of the teff plant are a major food crop, ground into flour to make the traditional Ethiopian flatbread called injera. It is also used for animal forage and hay.

Usage Examples

• As a cereal crop:
  • Teff is a drought-resistant crop that thrives in various conditions.
  • Farmers harvest teff for both human consumption and animal feed.
• As a food ingredient:
  • The flour made from teff is naturally gluten-free.
  • Injera, a spongy flatbread, is traditionally made from teff flour.

Advanced Usage

• Nutritional context: Teff is often discussed for its high nutritional value, being rich in iron, calcium, and fiber.
  • Due to its high mineral content, teff is considered a nutritious ancient grain.

Variants and Related Words

• Teff grass: Another name for the plant itself.
• Eragrostis tef: The scientific (botanical) name for teff.

Synonyms

• Cereal grass: A general term for grasses cultivated for their edible grains.
• Millet: While a different grain, millet is sometimes mentioned in a similar context as another small-seeded, ancient cereal.

Notes on Meaning

The word "teff" refers specifically to the plant species Eragrostis tef and its seeds. It is not a general term for flour or bread but denotes the source grain. Its primary association is with Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine and agriculture.

Noun

1. an African grass economically important as a cereal grass (yielding white flour of good quality) as well as for forage and hay