Ms. Jean, the recipe I use does not call for it. Some do. I'll have to check out the amount and edit the recipe as an optional ingredient. I will tell you that the black women I work with assured me that the teacakes I made tasted as good as their grandmothers or their mothers make.

"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek