What are ancient grains?

Ancient grains are cereals and seeds that have remained largely unchanged by selective breeding over the last several hundred years. Examples include einkorn, spelt, quinoa, amaranth, teff, and buckwheat. They are prized for their nutritional density, unique flavors, and historical significance.

Which ancient grains are gluten-free?

Nine ancient grains are naturally gluten-free: amaranth, buckwheat, chia, quinoa, teff, sorghum, common millet, foxtail millet, and hemp. Oats are gluten-free if uncontaminated. Einkorn, emmer, spelt, khorasan, and rye all contain gluten.

What is the best ancient grain for baking?

Einkorn is considered the best ancient grain for baking bread and pastries due to its buttery flavor and workable gluten structure. Spelt is another excellent choice that substitutes 1:1 for modern wheat flour. For gluten-free baking, sorghum flour and teff flour are the most versatile options.

Where can I buy ancient grain flour?

Ancient grain flour is available from brands like Bob's Red Mill, King Arthur Baking, and Jovial Foods on Amazon. For the freshest flour, consider buying a home grain mill and milling your own from whole grain berries. Popular options include the NutriMill Impact electric mill, the Country Living hand-crank mill, and KitchenAid grain-mill attachments.

Which ancient grain has the most protein?

Among ancient grains, amaranth leads with approximately 13.6g of protein per 100g, followed closely by quinoa at 14.1g (and notably a complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids), hemp seeds at 31.6g, and chia seeds at 16.5g. Teff and buckwheat also provide substantial protein at 13.3g and 13.3g per 100g respectively.

Teff is Gluten-free. Notable nutrients: High calcium, iron, gluten-free.

Where does Teff come from?

Teff (Eragrostis tef) was first cultivated around ~4,000 BCE, Ethiopian Highlands. Today it is grown across Ethiopia, USA, Australia.

How do you cook Teff?

Use a 3:1 water-to-grain ratio. Bring water to a boil, add Teff, cover, and simmer for 15-20 min. Common dishes include Injera flatbread, porridge, polenta, grain bowl.

How much protein is in Teff?

Per 100g (raw), Teff contains 13.3 g of protein and 367 kcal of energy.

What does Teff taste like?

Teff has a Mild, slightly sweet, molasses-like flavor profile.

All grains · Heritage Grain

Teff

Eragrostis tef

Pre-ColumbianGluten-freeAfrica, Asia367 kcal/100gMild, slightly sweet, molasses-like

Teff is the world's smallest grain (each seed is less than 1 mm across), and its name derives from the Amharic word for 'lost,' a nod to how easily the tiny seeds vanish if dropped.

Origin & History

Domesticated in the Ethiopian highlands between 4,000 and 1,000 BCE, teff is one of humanity's earliest cereals and the foundation of Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine as the grain used to make injera flatbread. The world's smallest cultivated grain, teff seeds were found in Egypt's Red Pyramid of Sneferu, suggesting ancient trade networks, though it remained primarily grown in the Horn of Africa until modern global interest emerged.

Discovery~4,000 BCE, Ethiopian Highlands

Time PeriodPre-Columbian

Origin Coords9.02°, 38.75°

Current CultivationEthiopia, USA, Australia

Latest from the Blog

2026-06-14 · 850 words

Gluten-FreeExplainerBeginner-Friendly

Sorghum Syrup: What It Is and How to Cook With It

Sorghum syrup is the South's heritage sweetener, an amber syrup pressed from sorghum cane. What it is, how it differs from molasses, how to use it, and substitutes.

2026-06-13 · 993 words

Gluten-FreeRecipeWorld Cuisine

Injera Recipe: How to Make Ethiopian Teff Flatbread

An authentic injera recipe for Ethiopian teff flatbread with its signature sour tang and spongy holes. Naturally gluten-free, with a 3-day fermentation guide.

2026-06-13 · 1008 words

RecipeSourdoughBaking

Sourdough Discard Bagels: Chewy, Boiled, Easy Recipe

Sourdough discard bagels with a chewy, glossy crust. The boil-then-bake method, same-day or overnight, using leftover starter with no active feeding.

View all articles →

Home Grain Mills: Mill Your Own Flour

Nothing beats the flavor and nutrition of freshly milled flour. These are the best home grain mills for every budget and every ancient grain on this page.

Best Electric

NutriMill Impact

Compact high-speed electric mill from NutriMill, the brand most home bakers buy. Stainless-steel milling heads grind any whole grain into fresh flour in seconds. Quiet enough for daily baking, fine enough for delicate einkorn or teff.

$249 Buy on Amazon

KitchenAid stand-mixer grain mill attachment

Best for KitchenAid Owners

KitchenAid Mill Attachment

Metal grain mill attachment that mounts to any KitchenAid stand mixer. If you already own one, it's the cheapest way into home milling: no countertop space, no second appliance. Adjustable burrs from coarse to fine.

$60 Buy on Amazon

Best Hand-Crank

Country Living Grain Mill

Built like a tank: cast aluminum body, hardened steel burrs, lifetime warranty. No electricity needed. Grinds any grain including corn and dried legumes. A serious homesteader's mill that lasts generations.

$495 Buy on Amazon

WonderMill Junior compact hand-crank grain mill

Best Compact Hand-Mill

WonderMill Junior Hand Mill

Compact hand-crank mill for flour, wheat, and gluten-free grains, nuts, seeds, oily foods, and spices. Adjustable burr settings deliver coarse to fine flour without electricity.

$279 Buy on Amazon

Best Budget

Victoria Manual Grain Mill

Cast-iron hand mill under $50, clamps to any countertop. Surprisingly effective for small-batch milling of softer grains like einkorn, oats, and buckwheat. Great entry point before investing in an electric mill.

$42 Buy on Amazon

As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend mills we've researched and would buy ourselves.