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A small mound of tiny, round teff grains, with fine, dry-looking kernels ranging from pale ivory and golden brown to deep reddish brown.
⚡High Potassium
🌿High Fiber

Teff Calories

Gluten-free ancient grain rich in fiber and minerals

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

367kcal

GI

57medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

427mg

FIBER · 100 G

8g

Quick answer

1 cup (whole) of Teff (252 g) has 925 calories. That works out to 367 calories per 100 g. It contains 184.2 g of carbs, 33.5 g of protein, 6 g of fat and 20.2 g of fiber. Its 23.3 mg of Manganese covers 1012% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 57 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Teff Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 cup (whole) · 252 g

925

KCAL / 252G

Carbs

184.2g

· 67% DV

Protein

33.5g

· 67% DV

Fat

6g

· 8% DV

Fiber

20.2g

· 72% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 80% · Protein 14% · Fat 6%

Teff nutrition facts table · 1 cup (whole) (252 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories925 kcal
Total fat6 g8%
Saturated fat1.13 g6%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium30 mg1%
Total carbohydrate184.2 g67%
Fiber20.2 g72%
Protein33.5 g67%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Teff?

ServingAmountCalories
1 cup (whole)252 g925 kcal
1 tablespoon (whole)12 g44 kcal
1 ounce (whole)28 g103 kcal
1 serving (small)45 g165 kcal
0.25 cup (whole)63 g231 kcal
1 serving (medium)70 g257 kcal
100 g100 g367 kcal
1 serving (large)100 g367 kcal
½ cup (whole)126 g462 kcal

Calculated from 367 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teff

What is teff, and why is it associated with Ethiopian food?

Teff is a tiny-seeded cereal grain native to the Horn of Africa, especially associated with Ethiopia. It is the traditional base for injera, a fermented flatbread commonly served with stews and other dishes.

How do you cook teff so it does not turn into a sticky mass?

Cook teff gently in water and stir it as it softens; frequent stirring releases starch and makes it creamier. For separate, fluffy grains, use less stirring and avoid adding excess liquid, following the package directions.

Can you make injera with teff at home?

Yes, injera can be made at home with teff flour, water, and time for fermentation. The fermented batter is cooked like a thin pancake; its characteristic sourness comes from fermentation, not from added vinegar.

How is teff different from quinoa?

Teff is a grass-family cereal grain, while quinoa is a seed from a broadleaf plant. Both are cooked as grain-like foods, but teff is much smaller and is especially known as the traditional grain used for Ethiopian injera.

Can teff flour replace wheat flour in baking?

Teff flour can replace some wheat flour, but it does not behave exactly like wheat because it lacks gluten. In breads and cakes, recipes often combine it with other flours or use a binder to help hold the bake together.

What does teff taste like?

Teff has a mild, earthy, slightly nutty flavor. Its small grains cook to a tender texture, so the taste works in both savory dishes and sweet porridges without overpowering other ingredients.

Do you need to soak teff before cooking it?

No, teff usually does not need soaking before cooking. Its tiny grains soften on the stovetop without a soak, though soaking can change the cooking time and texture if a particular recipe calls for it.

Can teff be used instead of oats for porridge?

Yes, cooked teff makes a warm breakfast porridge, though it tends to be denser and more earthy-tasting than oat porridge. Simmer it until tender, then add milk or a topping such as fruit or nuts.

How should you store teff to keep it fresh?

Store dry teff in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place. Keep teff flour sealed as well, since ground grains lose freshness more quickly; follow any storage instructions on the package.

Is teff a good choice for people with diabetes?

Teff can fit into a diabetes-conscious meal, but it still contains carbohydrates and can raise blood glucose. Portion size and the other foods in the meal matter, so a clinician or dietitian can help tailor it to your needs.

Teff Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B1

0.98mg · 82% DV

B6

1.21mg · 71% DV

Folate

214.2µg · 54% DV

B3

8.47mg · 53% DV

Minerals

Manganese

23mg · 1000% DV

Copper

2.04mg · 227% DV

Phosphorus

1081mg · 154% DV

Magnesium

464mg · 110% DV

Potassium ⭐

1076mg · 32% DV

Sodium

30mg · 1% DV

Teff Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

57
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

100.8
High

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Teff

To burn the 925 calories in 1 cup (whole) (252 g):

🚶

229min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

94min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

126min

Cycling

🏊

108min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Teff?

Teff is a tiny-seeded grain central to the cuisines of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its flour is fermented with water to make injera, the soft, tangy flatbread used to scoop up stews and other dishes. The whole grain is also cooked as porridge or served alongside savoury foods. Outside the Horn of Africa, it is increasingly used as an alternative grain in home cooking.

Cooked teff has a soft, slightly grainy texture and a mild, earthy, nutty flavour. Try it as a breakfast porridge, as a base for a bowl with vegetables and beans, or mixed into bread and pancake batters. It is a source of fibre, with 8 g per 100 g. If you are new to its flavour, combine it with rice or another familiar grain, and adjust the cooking liquid to get the texture you like.

How Nutritious Is Teff?

Nutrient density

High

78/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

53/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Teff Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Teff Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Teff Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Teff Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.13g

MONOUNSATURATED

1.49g

POLYUNSATURATED

2.72g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 8.1:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (8.1:1).

Compare Teff

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🌾vs🥖
Teff vs Breadstick43 kcal fewer per 100 g
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120 kcal

🍝

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124 kcal

🥖

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410 kcal

🥯

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340 kcal

🥣

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450 kcal

🍚

Rice Pilaf

150 kcal

🍚

Basmati Rice Pilaf

140 kcal

🍝

Pasta (Boiled)

155 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.