Consumed for thousands of years, fonio is enjoyed by West Africans who thrive on this healthy cereal. Fonio grains are similar in size to a poppy seed, but don’t let the small size fool you. Nutritionally, it rivals the Ethiopian artisanal grain tef in how good it is for you, but before we get into that, it is our pleasure to introduce fonio to you. It even has a nickname, ñamu buur, “food for royalty.” Before the agricultural colonization of Africa, fonio had a long and celebrated history on the continent. Fonio. Fonio is a type of millet that’s widely consumed in West African countries. In fonio-growing regions of West Africa today, fonio is served to guests as a sign of honor. Light and easy to digest, can be eaten daily in porridge with a range of health food products. Fonio is one of the oldest cultivated cereals in Africa dating back to 5,000 BC, full of essential amino acids its the smallest species of millet with exceptional nutritional qualities. According to the Whole Grains Council (wholegrainscouncil.org), archaeologists have even found fonio buried in tombs inside the Egyptian pyramids. Fonio is consumed by various tribes across the Sahel and used in different side dishes. Fonio starts out looking like a nice, green lawn, and at maturity looks a lot like hay. If you have been avoiding gluten for a long time, chances are you are already familiar with some of the grains listed here, such as millet, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, wild rice and brown rice. The Fonio Grain Husking Machine can effectively husks and cleans the fonio grains as they pass through the shifting and flexible paddle which is set on a vertical axis and on top of a fixed plate. Fonio has been grown for over 5,000 years, making the oldest cultivated grain in Africa. A list of 10 super-healthy, gluten-free whole grains, plus tips on where you can get them. Fonio is a type of millet — there are two species of the grain, white fonio being the most widely consumed. The Acha Fonio Harvesting machine can process 5 kg of fonio grain in 5 to 8 minutes which normally take a day by manual processing. Fonio just so happens to be prominent right in Atacora's home around Boukombé, Benin! This super-speedy turnaround time could revolutionize the economy for countries that market the grain internationally. Product description. Fonio: Ancient African Grain Traditionally harvested & produced through a partnership with farmers in Benin, Africa. The two most common varieties are white fonio ( Digitaria exilis ) and black fonio ( Digitaria iburu ). The grain serves a role very similar to rice in tribes where it is a much more integral part of the diet. Feb 10, 2016 - From across the world to your table, fonio (pronounced: phone-yo) is the tiny grain loaded with possibilities. Yolélé Fonio Grain Pilaf Mix - Variety Pack: Yassa!, Jollof, Afro-Funk 7 oz ea (3 bags total), Gluten-Free + Non-GMO 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. $19.95. A wide variety of organic fonio grains options are available to you, such as drying process, texture, and type. Legend has it that the Dogon people of Mali believe the universe was born out of a single fonio grain, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as ‘the seed of the universe’. Fonio or white fonio (Digitaria exilis) is a small gluten-free grain (1-1.5mm) similar to millet and a very common crop in West Africa and in the Sahel region, at the southern edge of the Sahara desert.The black fonio (Digitaria iburua) variety, which is mainly cultivated in Niger, Nigeria, Benin and Togo, is less common and the grains are even smaller than white fonio. The plant can thrive in poor growing conditions, and it only takes six to eight weeks to grow and harvest the grains. Aduna Organic Fonio Super-Grain - 6 x 250g Packs 4.7 out of 5 stars 33. 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