The first time I hear about Acha, its 2014, and from a doctor friend of mine in Port Harcourt. She has gorgeous red hair and used to live in the north of Nigeria. We talk about my love for Arewa cuisine and she tells me about ‘hungry rice’, how she loves it.
Its 2016 when I taste it. In all that time, I haven’t forgotten it, so when C offers to send me some, I’m game. At first glance it looks like couscous but….it isn’t. This is a grain, whereas couscous is a product from durum semolina.
When I cook it though, it makes me think of an earthier couscous.
So what is Acha? It is a cereal/ grain found in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to the north of Nigeria and Cameroun. It bears a resemblance to couscous except it is a grain versus a milled durum wheat product, which couscous is.
Common names: Fonio, Acha
Botanical name: Digitaria exilis (White fonio) Stapf and Digitaria iburua Stapf (black fonio)
Family: Millet.
Provenance:
The white fonio (Digitaria exilis) is found from Senegal to Chad. In Nigeria, it is grown in the central upland plateau
The other species, black fonio (Digitaria iburua), is restricted to the Jos-Bauchi Plateau of Nigeria as well as to northern regions of Togo and Benin.
Culinary Uses:
I’ve made it ‘pilaf’ style – like couscous. I’ve had a pap made from it, and I’ve read about porridges, pudding-like cakes, pancakes and other sorts of things made out of the grains and flour.
‘In the Hausa region of Nigeria and Benin, people prepare a couscous (wusu-wusu) out of both types of fonio. In northern Togo, the Lambas brew a famous beer (tchapalo) from white fonio. In southern Togo, the Akposso and Akebou peoples prepare fonio with beans in a dish that is reserved for special occasions.’ Source
I look forward to exploring Acha.
Have you tried it before?
where can i get it in port hacourt
You can order some from the makers – synfonio@gmail.com; 08807 919 1966; 0813 663 3188.
Also hausa markets might have it – like 4-5-6 in Bori camp. I don’t know of stores that stock it but
I just made acha but its quite like pudding not so much quinoa texture
Ive rinsed it well before cooking but it taste quite earthy even.with agave nectar
What did i do wrong?
Try coconut milk and cinnamon with it
pls how do I get acha 08131212450
Been lurking for ages but I’m coming out of the shadow with 3 words: Fonio Jollof-style! Delicious!
Thank you. Will give it a go.
A great way way to have it in pudding form is with peanuts and/or with fruit like bananas or strawberries. So yummy! Just add a little fonio to water and let it cook (the above brand cooks in as little as 5 mins); add milk, sugar, topping of choice, and you’re good to go!
Thank you. I’m going to try it.
Yeah Ozoz, fonio. Chief Pierre Thiam has recipes for this. Looking for what wonderful creativity you come up with!
Great job kitchen Butterfly keep up the good job by promotin our great local foods.Great,Synfonio Instant Acha.
Fonio is very nutritious. My dad introduced me to the brand above. It is good for diabetics. We usually prepare it as a pudding which he takes with milk and also like Tuwo rice and serve it with gbegiri soup
I love Atcha. So many wonderful ways to make it but my favorite is Paten Atcha (a porridge full of so many lovely things: smoked fish, biscuit bone, beef, sorrel, ground nut, etc. sigh. Now I feel like some. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Sure, Acha has always been a staple especially on the plateau.
Nice to see it so nicely packaged.