Fonio

Many people have praised fonio as a "climate crisis-ready crop," a superfood alternative for quinoa, and a hopeful solution to help smallholder farmers in West Africa, where it has been produced for thousands of years. The ancient grain native to West Africa, also known as iburura and acha, and frequently considered the continent's oldest farmed cereal, has long been relished in the hilly areas of burkina faso, guinea, senegal, mali, and nigeria. In climate-change-affected areas with nutrient-deficient soils or drought conditions, where nothing can grow, fonio thrives and helps maintain biodiversity, providing hope in the face of climate change.

With the earthy and nutty flavor of couscous and the creamy but crunchy consistency of quinoa, fonio may be used in the same ways as other grains, sprinkled over salads, added to stews or soups, cooked into porridge, or converted into baked products when ground into flour. Fonio is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for anyone suffering from Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.