The Seed of the Universe

Grown and revered across West Africa for over 5,000 years, fonio is gluten-free, nutritionally dense, rich in important minerals and amino acids, and has a low glycemic index. Fonio is a gluten-free, quick cooking, versatile grain that has been grown and revered across West Africa for over 5,000 years.

The grain is tiny when raw but expands over 4x when cooked. It’s light + fluffy and has a nutty, earthy taste. Fonio goes with just about anything and soaks up spices + sauces beautifully. Cook it just like couscous and it’s perfect in salads, grain bowls, tabouleh, hot sides, and more. Fonio also makes a delicious hot cereal, veggie burger, stuffing, and gluten-free baking ingredient.

To the Dogon people of Mali, fonio is known as “the Seed of the Universe,” …the grain at the root of all existence. 

ABOUT YOLÉLÉ

Yolélé was founded in 2017 to create economic opportunity for smallholder farming communities; to support biodiverse, regenerative, and resilient food systems; and to share Africa’s ingredients and cuisines with the world.

Yolélé is changing conditions for rural West African smallholder farmers. This population is among the world’s most vulnerable. Simply buying more of West Africa’s oldest cereal grain helps to alleviate extreme poverty, but they go a step further to truly transform communities in the West African Sahel.

They are connecting smallholder farmers—mainly women—with local and global markets so they can support themselves from agriculture while increasing food sovereignty in the region. They are also creating a market for traditional crops grown under these resilient farming systems to foster a more biodiverse, drought-tolerant landscape across West Africa. Devoting more land to this kind of farming has the potential to regenerate and re-green the Sahel.

DETAILS

• 10 oz resealable bag
• Approximately 6 servings per bag
  
• Vegetarian, Vegan
  
• Non GMO, Gluten Free
• No additives or preservatives
  
• All natural, No artificial anything
• By Yolélé / Shipped from the USA

Ingredients: fonio.

~ Available for Local Next Day Delivery  |  Not eligible for return once opened 

CURATOR'S NOTE: 

 

Yolélé is a Fulani term of exuberance used in West and Central Africa. It roughly translates to “Let the Good Times Roll” (or, like in New Orleans, “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!”). People shout out “Yolélé!” to get parties started and people dancing.

The Fulani people are the world’s largest nomadic group, living across government-drawn country lines. Like the Fulani, Yolélé aspires to transcend borders, bringing African culture to all.

Here are some ideas to try:

• Italian Fonio Stuffed Peppers
• Lamb Fonio Tabouleh
• Fonio Brown Butter Tahini Cookies
• See BON! for recipe inspirations (coming soon)