I selected Teff for our February 2026 grain. After searching the internet for recipes, I decided to use the recipe for Spicy Chocolate Pudding on the back of the package of Maskal Teff. For this and other Teff recipes, visit www.teffoo.com
Teff, the world’s smallest grain, is an ancient grain native to East Africa. It is a staple in Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine and has a nutty flavor. It’s used to make injera, a traditional spongy flatbread. Teff is naturally gluten-free and versatile. It can be served as a cooked cereal or used in soups, salads, baked goods, or puddings for added texture and flavor. Teff is also used as a nutritional boost to wheat-containing products.
Teff belongs to the grass family. It’s resistant to drought and grows well in a range of environmental conditions. It comes in lighter and darker varieties. Teff is an excellent source of protein. It boosts all the essential amino acids which are the building blocks of protein in the body. One hundred grams of teff contain 366 calories, 12.2 grams protein, 3.7 grams fat, 12.2 grams of fiber, 70.7 grams of carbs, 37% of your daily recommended value of iron, and 11% of your daily recommended value of calcium. It’s also high in lysine and a good source of copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and selenium.
In addition to Teff, this pudding contains five ingredients commonly found in most kitchens. You can top your pudding with chocolate chips, cacao nibs, chocolate shavings, and/or whipped cream before serving.
This is not your usual chocolate pudding. It has a slightly grainy texture (a little smoother than cream of wheat), isn’t sugary sweet, and has a little kick courtesy of the cayenne pepper. Variations of this pudding recipe add honey for sweetness or put the Teff in a blender or food processor to create a flour-like consistency for a creamier pudding. You can also use Teff flour.
I’m sure these variations are delicious. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll probably prefer a sweeter creamier version, but why not try something different?
This recipe takes around 35 minutes to make from gathering up your ingredients to dishing up the pudding. I tried the pudding warm, and it was delicious. I also tried one after it cooled and went in the refrigerator. Both are delicious, but there’s something incredibly cozy about warm pudding.
For a dairy-free option, I used hemp milk. You can also try almond, cashew, or oat milk.
I’ll be making this again. I might try the Teff flour, but no honey, and I’ll add a dash more cayenne. I might also top it with cherries or raspberries in addition to the dark chocolate shavings I used. The texture and chocolate flavor pair well with a healthy trail mix.
Grains in the Twelve Months of Grain:
January – White Rice – Stuffed peppers (my own recipe – check our January 2026 issue)
February – Teff – Spicy Chocolate Pudding – www.teffoo.com
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