White Fonio

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6/19/20241 min read

Digitaria exilis, commonly known as white fonio or "hungry rice," is a prominent species within a varied group of wild and cultivated Digitaria plants found in the savannas of West Africa. White fonio possesses the smallest seeds among all millet species and is utilised in the production of porridge, couscous, bread, and beer. This grain shows significant promise in enhancing nutrition, reinforcing food security, promoting rural development, and encouraging sustainable land use. Particularly suited for semi-arid regions with nutrient-deficient soils and erratic rainfall patterns, fonio is an annual herbaceous plant that typically grows between 30 to 80 centimetres in height.

In terms of nutritional content, a 1/4 cup (45 grams) of uncooked fonio, equivalent to roughly 1/2 cup when cooked, contains: Calories - 170 Protein- 2 grams Sugar- 0 grams Fat- 0.5 grams Carbohydrates- 39 grams 4% of the Daily Value (DV) for fibre 4% of the DV for iron