Grain

Setaria italica

A tier

Setaria italica is foxtail millet—small yellow seeds from bristly foxtail heads, an ancient East Asian cereal still eaten as porridge and rice extender. Flavour is mild-sweet; grains are tiny and cook relatively fast. Important in Chinese, Korean, and some Indian dryland systems. Simmer like fine pilaf; mix with rice. Flour for noodles and porridges in traditional cuisines. Distinct from proso despite similar pale look at a glance. In mixed dishes, Setaria italica contributes more than bulk—look for the Foxtail Species note after Porridge finishes and rest time settles flavours.