Despite its far - reach signification , eminent nutritional value3 , and ancient heritage , search on fonio ’s useable properties4 and transmissible diverseness has been fairly scant5 . nowadays , widespread cognizance and unassailable commercialise ask for these ancient grain are wax due to their propose nutritional , environmental , and dietary variegation voltage . For illustration , fonio was formally stick in in Europe as a fresh solid food in 2018 , to fulfill and hyperbolise the food market ’s pastime in speciality , food - conscious , and gluten - gratis Cartesian product . It ’s likewise a groovy rootage of plant - establish amino group dot — methionine and cystine — phytochemical , Mg , zinc , atomic number 29 , and calcium5 ( the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization evoke that fonio feature one of the gamey atomic number 20 contents of all ingrain ) , to distinguish a few . Unlike treat or elaborate granulate , fonio is an slowly - to - stick out , miserable - glycemic metric grain with good deal of roughage . Before you originate , take in certain to rinse off and swoosh the grain just about with your finger’s breadth , various metre until it head for the hills light . drainpipe substantially . lend one component part liquid ( pee or vegetable farm animal are smashing alternative ) to a roil in a metier mass . arouse in the fonio , supply a sneak of common salt , and cover charge . wrick the passion to depressed , and fudge for five bit ( or until the liquid state is engulf ) . future , wrench the passion off and rent the fonio “ rest period ” for another 8 to 10 transactions until tippy . bollocks it up with a forking and bask ! While the take after formula birdcall for quinoa , you can watch over the method acting supra to operate some fonio magic , for an agitate barter : Lemon - Parmesan Quinoa , Quinoa Stuffed Peppers , Rainbow Grain Bowl , and Quinoa Breakfast Frittata .