Tiger nut / Chufa (Cyperus esculentus) - Planting tubers - The snack of the ancient Egyptians
20 tubers
€3,10
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Tiger nut / Chufa (Cyperus esculentus) - Planting tubers - The snack of the ancient Egyptians
€3,10
Pickup available at Bei der Kirche 3
Usually ready in 24 hours
For orders of €20 or more, you can choose a portion of tiger nut tubers (20 pieces) as a free gift!
The tiger nut, also known as chufa or earth almond, is a truly fascinating crop from the sedge family. Above ground, it grows as an undemanding, light-green ornamental grass, but its true secret is hidden underground: that is where it forms countless small, brown tubers. These tiger nuts have a wonderfully sweet, intensely nutty aroma that is strongly reminiscent of almonds or hazelnuts. They are a wonderful addition to any kitchen garden and can also be cultivated excellently in a container on the balcony.
Scope of delivery: 20/ 100 planting tubers each (dried)
My experience and tips for planting
Preparation: The small tubers are very hard when dry. I soak them in lukewarm water for about 24 hours before planting; this accelerates sprouting enormously.
Planting depth: I set the tubers about 3 to 5 cm deep in the soil.
Timing: From mid-May, when no more frosts are expected, the tubers can be planted directly in the open ground or in a container on the balcony or terrace. Starting them indoors from April is also easily possible.
Substrate: Loose, sandy soil is absolutely essential for the tiger nut. Only in loose soil can the tubers spread well and later be easily separated from the soil during harvest. I therefore always mix a generous portion of sand into my potting soil.
Growth habit, height and location
The plant loves a full-sun and warm location. The grass-like foliage grows densely and reaches a height of about 40 to 60 cm. When grown in a container, I recommend wide, shallow vessels (about 20 to 30 cm deep), as the plant forms its tubers on underground runners in width rather than in depth. Tiger nuts require regular watering and must not dry out completely, especially during the growth phase in midsummer. Fertilizer is generally not necessary if using good potting soil.
Harvest and use
The excitement builds in late autumn, usually from the end of October or November. As soon as the above-ground grass blades begin to turn yellow and dry out, it is time for the harvest. I then dig up the entire root ball, shake off the loose soil, and collect the countless small tubers. After washing thoroughly, they can be eaten fresh immediately or dried in an airy, warm place for longer shelf life.
Tiger nuts are extremely versatile in the kitchen. Dried and ground, they are a gluten-free, naturally sweet alternative to flour and nuts for baking or in muesli. In Spain, they are traditionally used to press the famous, ice-cold tiger nut milk (Horchata de Chufa) - an absolute refreshment in the summer.
Important nutrients
Tiger nuts are not only extremely delicious, but are also considered a true superfood. They are naturally gluten-free, very rich in valuable dietary fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy unsaturated fatty acids. They also provide a significant amount of vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium.
Origin
The tiger nut originally comes from the Mediterranean region and North Africa, where it was already cultivated and valued as a precious food source in ancient Egypt. Today, it is grown on a large scale, especially in the Spanish region of Valencia.
Important note on invasiveness and handling:
The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) is classified as a highly invasive neophyte in Central Europe. It spreads rapidly via its underground runners and a multitude of extremely hardy small tubers. Once established in open ground, the plant is only removable with great effort, as even the tiniest tuber fragments left in the soil will immediately sprout again the following year. It is therefore strongly advised to cultivate tiger nuts strictly in container culture or in closed, escape-proof planters. During harvest, the substrate must be extremely carefully—ideally by sieving—freed of all tubers. Plant remains, roots, or soil containing potential tuber remains must under no circumstances be disposed of in the home garden compost, as they survive there without problems and will colonize the entire garden when the compost is later spread. If in doubt, the safe disposal of excess root material or questionable potting soil should always be carried out via residual waste.
My recipe tip: Traditional Horchata de Chufa (Spanish Tiger Nut Milk)
This refreshing, plant-based milk is an absolute summer classic in Spain and can be easily made yourself with your own harvest.
Ingredients:
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250 g fresh or dried tiger nuts (thoroughly washed beforehand)
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1 liter of fresh, cold water
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50 to 80 g sugar (or an alternative sweetener of your choice)
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Optional: A pinch of cinnamon and/or some grated organic lemon zest
Preparation:
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Soaking: I first soak the tiger nuts in plenty of water for 12 to 24 hours, preferably directly in the refrigerator. After that, I drain the soaking water and rinse the tubers briefly once more.
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Pureeing: I now add the soft tiger nuts together with the liter of cold water into a powerful high-speed blender. I puree everything very finely on the highest setting for one to two minutes.
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Filtering: I then pour the pureed mass through a fine muslin cloth or nut milk bag into a bowl and press the residue firmly. By the way, I still use the remaining pulp wonderfully in baking or as a fiber-rich addition to my muesli.
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Refining: I now season the collected milk with sugar, a little cinnamon, or lemon zest to taste and stir everything well until the sugar has completely dissolved.
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Serving: I pour the finished Horchata de Chufa into a bottle and place it in the refrigerator until serving. Ice-cold, it is an incomparable refreshment on hot days!
Return policy
My goal is for every customer to be completely satisfied with their purchase. If this is not the case, please let me know and I will do my best to find a solution with you.
A 14-day return policy applies.
Shipping
I will ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Seeds: 1-3 business days
Plants: 2-5 business days
Please note the availability date for items that are available for pre-order.
General Safety Instructions
In general, all plants and seeds in my shop are not suitable for consumption. Without exception, all items are not sold as food.
Naturally, this does not apply to fruit and vegetables that are harvested by the customer after successful cultivation.
Some plants and seeds contain toxins. Keep out of reach of children and animals.