Rich source of calcium

Finger millet contains thrice the amount of calcium as milk1 and almost 8 times the amount found in other cereals3. Bioavailability of calcium from meals prepared from finger millet is higher than from other wheat- and sorghum-based meals2

    Suitable weaning food for children

    The high levels of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and calcium makes finger millet-based complementary foods appropriate weaning foods for babies.
    References

    1. Shobana et al. (2013) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23522794
    2. Bhavyashree SH, Jamuna Prakash, Kalpana Platel, Srinivasan K. Bioaccessibility of minerals from cereal-based composite meals and ready-to-eat foods. J Food Sci Technol, 46(5), 431-435.
    3. Pradhan A, Nag SK and Patil SK. 2010. Dietary management of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaerth) controls diabetes. Current Science. 25:62-65.

    Uses of Finger millet


    Weaning Food

    Finger millet is a popular weaning food. Porridge made from sprouted and malted finger millet flour has been traditionally used as a weaning food from 6 months of age. It is ideal as baby food because of its high-level of calcium and protein. In India, organic finger millet flour and ready-to-eat finger millet blends are commonly available in the market for preparing baby food.

    Related publications

    Fructus Terra : Going back to Traditional Smart Food for Infants


    Brewing

    Finger millet grains are used primarily in the production of traditional alcoholic beverages in India and Africa. Some of the local brews which uses finger millet as the raw material are listed below:  

    Chikokivana Finger-millet based alcoholic beverage made in Zimbabwe
    Doro  A colloidal, thick, alcoholic drink made from finger millet in Zimbabwe
    Merissa A popular finger millet based alcoholic drink in Sudan
    Chaang A traditional alcoholic-beverage prepared from finger millet and consumed widely in Nepal and North Eastern India.
    Pombe Traditional beer produced from finger millet in Tanzania 
    Jand A traditional alcoholic beverage in Nepal prepared by fermenting Finger Millet
    Mbege Produced with banana juice and finger millet in northern Tanzania
    Cipumu An alcoholic beverage produced from finger millet by members of the Bemba ethnic group in northeastern Zambia
    Kimpumu An alcoholic beverage produced from finger millet in southern Tanzania


    Related news

    1. Finger Millet: A Potential Source For Production of Gluten Free
      Beer
    2. The reason for the preferential use of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in eastern African brewing
    3. Processing, nutritional composition and health benefits of finger millet in sub-saharan Africa

    Nutritional Value

    Protein (g)

    Fibre (g)

    Calcium (mg)

    Iron (mg)

    Recipes

    Stuffed Finger Millet Idly

    Stuffed Finger Millet Idly

    Crispy Multi-Millet Fingers

    Crispy Multi-Millet Fingers

    Shrimp Scampi with Finger Millet  Vermicelli

    Shrimp Scampi with Finger Millet Vermicelli

    Millet Vermicelli Falooda

    Millet Vermicelli Falooda

    Turkish Kunufe with Millet Vermicelli

    Turkish Kunufe with Millet Vermicelli

    Sugar-less Finger Millet Laddu

    Sugar-less Finger Millet Laddu

    Millet cream tartlets

    Millet cream tartlets

    Millet shots

    Millet shots

    Finger Millet Gluten Free Cake

    Finger Millet Gluten Free Cake

    Finger Millet Porridge

    Finger Millet Porridge

    Sorghum and millet kebabs served with sweet mashed potatoes

    Sorghum and millet kebabs served with sweet mashed potatoes

    Millet and peanut butter cookies

    Millet and peanut butter cookies

    Sugar free millet cake

    Sugar free millet cake

    Irish potatoes with millet, sorghum & cheese

    Irish potatoes with millet, sorghum & cheese

    Millet & sorghum mixed <i>bhajia</i>

    Millet & sorghum mixed bhajia

    Crispy avocado salad with millet sticks

    Crispy avocado salad with millet sticks

    Cabbage and sorghum salad in millet shell

    Cabbage and sorghum salad in millet shell

    Sorghum, millet and chicken soup

    Sorghum, millet and chicken soup

    Cream of millet soup

    Cream of millet soup

    Millet stir fry

    Millet stir fry

    Millet & chickpea stuffed peppers

    Millet & chickpea stuffed peppers

    Millet couscous with roasted carrots

    Millet couscous with roasted carrots

    Millet cookies

    Millet cookies

    Millet sushi

    Millet sushi

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