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Ethiopian Grain Thrives in North America

The Teff Company’s mission is to preserve the accessibility of teff to Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in the United States and to share the benefits of teff with people of all backgrounds.

We recognize that teff is fundamentally important to Ethiopian and Eritrean culture, and we endeavor to help those communities maintain this important part of their culture. We are doing this by assisting farmers in the United States to grow the highest quality teff possible, based on the feedback of our Ethiopian and Eritrean customers. Our customers range from owners of small stores, restaurants, injera bakeries, and home bakers.

Additionally we believe that as a crop and as a nutritious food, teff has qualities that all people can benefit from. We are committed to educating people about the origins of teff, and also finding ways they can enjoy the benefits of teff.

Our vision is to plant teff for a healthier future.

We believe that good nutrition starts on the farm. Teff is a resource efficient crop that does not require large inputs of scarce and important resources.

We also believe that incorporating into people’s daily diet will improve their health and nutrition. Teff is high in minerals and fiber, and is also a good choice for people with allergies to other types of food.

History of the Teff Company

Teff Company founder Wayne Carlson first became involved with Ethiopia during the early 1970s. He lived as a guest of the local farming community, and found the farmers eager to show their crops. Wayne became devoted to the local food, and soon discovered that while the farmers had a wide variety of crops, they preferred to grow and eat teff.

Later, back in Idaho, Wayne was fascinated by the similarities of the Snake River region and the East African Rift’s climates and geology. Both are borne from major dynamics in the earth’s crust, resulting in massive basaltic lava flows and tectonic movements. Both are subjected to hot summers with intense sunlight. An idea formed that the Snake River Valley may be perfect for growing teff. And why not import some wisdom from an ancient culture to the West for a change? Once we started growing, word spread to Ethiopians living in American metropolitan areas as they reconnected with their favorite grain. The Teff Company has been supplying the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities for nearly forty years with American-grown Maskal Teff. Some of the best quality teff in the world is produced in Idaho. Today Maskal Teff is available nationally in health food stores and directly from this website.

Our core values are: Quality, Community, Sustainability and Tradition.

 

 

Let us know if you would like to become a teff grower.

 

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