Barley is the world’s premier beer grain. True, but did you know that the next “malt power” after barley is our very own finger millet? In case you don’t know what malt or malting means, this is the very thing that gives every malt drink, including beer its rich taste. Grains are steeped in waterContinue reading “Finger millet, the underutilized malt grain”
Tag Archives: Under-utilized crops
The food you were trained not to eat
Have you ever thought deeply about the food we eat in Nigeria? I think about it every day. It is very limited. You don’t know it until you have had this discussion with your mother, or sister or whoever you share the kitchen with. It usually begins with something like this, “Ezinne, what are weContinue reading “The food you were trained not to eat”
Does the world really need acha rice?
Well it goes by many names, but in Nigeria we call it Acha. To you, it may be Fonio, or hungry rice. Small-seeded grains, high dietary fiber, gluten-free, low glycemic index and rich in amino acids not found in your usual cereals. I would say it has everything going for it. So stupid of meContinue reading “Does the world really need acha rice?”
Acacia has so many economic uses if only you took notice
Acacia is a genus comprising of several small and medium tree species. Although hundreds of these species are indigenous to Australia, Africa also has its own fair share. In fact, acacia trees are recognizable landmarks in Africa. Ever heard of gum Arabica? You know, the edible natural gum often seen oozing out of some treeContinue reading “Acacia has so many economic uses if only you took notice”
Bambara nut, a neglected crop
You may have eaten the famous okpa. A delicious pudding, much like moi moi made from Bambara nut rather than cowpea. Would you be surprised if I told you that the only ingredients in Okpa are the bambara nut flour, palm oil, salt and water? Bambara nut is so rich in taste that no otherContinue reading “Bambara nut, a neglected crop”
What the hell are “under-utilized crops” anyway?
The name says it all. If a crop specie is under-utilized, it simply means that the crop and its products are not used to their full potential. Other terms also used to describe these crops are “neglected”, “forgotten” and “under-exploited”. Different crop species end up on this “forgotten list” for various reasons. It may beContinue reading “What the hell are “under-utilized crops” anyway?”
Ever heard of the African Yam Bean?
In 2016, at an exhibition in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, I came across some kinda off-white coloured flour packaged in a jar the producer labeled AYB flour. Well, it made me curious and what I found out afterwards surprised me as well AYB which is an acronym for African Yam Bean is a legumeContinue reading “Ever heard of the African Yam Bean?”
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