Tiger-nut (Cyperus esculentus var. sativus), an emergent grass like plantbelonging to the sedge family found to be a cosmopolitan perennial crop of the same genus as the papyrus plant that is common in seasonally flooded wetlands. [1, 2]. It is widely distributed in many north temperature locations within South Europe as its probable origin, and has become naturalized in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone [3]. In Nigeria, tiger nut is well grown and available in fresh, semi-dried and dried form in markets where it is sold locally and consumed uncooked. They are under-utilized due to lack of information on their nutritional potentials. It has many other names like Zulu nut, yellow nutgrass, ground almond, chufa, edible rush and rush nut [4]. In Nigeria, the Hausas call it "Aya", Yorubas "imumu", the igbos "ofio", "aki Hausa" in southern Nigeria [5]. In Spain the tubers are consumed mainly as a drink called locally "horchata de chufa" (chufa milk). Tiger-nut has been cultivated as a livestock food and for human consumption; it can be eaten raw, roasted, grated, baked or used for ice cream and beverage making for its many useful benefits [6, 7].
Tiger nut milk
The origin of the use of this tuber for making milk is exclusive to the Valencian community, to which it may have been introduced from the Arabs. Tiger nut milk/beverage/drink commonly called ‘kunnu aya' in northern Nigeria is a healthy drink with many nutrients, which turns it into a nourishing and energetic product recommended by experts for drinking it at any season of the year , and especially in dry season when exposed to a bigger amount of use. In Spain, it is called chufa de horchata. It is a very rich source of nutrients emphasizing vitamins C and E, and minerals as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, even more as starch, unsaturated fats, proteins and some enzymes which help in digestion [8]. Actually, this drink contains more iron, magnesium and carbohydrates than the normal milk [9]. It has also the advantage of neither containing any lactose, casein, sugar or proteins of the milk, nor cholesterol and ideal drink for people who do not tolerate gluten or cow milk and its derivates [10]. The nutritional value of tiger nut beverage is however, insufficient given that its protein content is low [8, 9]. The production process is shown in figure 1.
Purchase and sort dry tiger nuts
Wash and soak in water for 8 hours
Grind in a ratio of 3 litres of water for each kilogram of tiger nuts and the mixture is left to macerate for 10minutes.
Press and sift
Sugar, cinnamon, and lemon are added to taste
Serve chill or Package.
(Source: Tiger nut traders, 2005)
Tiger nut milk properties
- The tiger nut milk is not just a fresh drink, in comparison with any other soft drink, it is very healthy.
- It contributes with level cholesterol reduction. It reduces the LDL cholesterol (the "bad" one), and increases the "HDL (the "good" one) thanks to its contribution of oleic acid (contributes with the same amount as the olive oil does). Its content in vitamin E also collaborates against the cholesterol because it produces an antioxidant effect over the fats. Ideal so for heart illness.
- It is good for the arteriosclerosis, in one hand due the oleic acid and in the other hand because it contains Arginina, which is a precursor of nitric oxide so produces an effect of expansion of the veins.
- Sugar free tigernut milk is suitable for diabetic people, due to its content of carbohydrates with a base of sucrose and starch (without glucose) and its high content of Arginina, which liberates the hormone that produces the insulin.
- Ideal drink for people who do not tolerate gluten or cow milk and its derivates.
- It is recommended for those who suffer heavy digestions, flatulence and diarrhoea because it provides us with a lot of digestive enzymes like the catalasa, lipase and amilasa.
- It contains plenty of minerals, like phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron ore, and vitamins like C and E.
- It also provides us with a lot of enzymes which make the digestion easier
- Its energetic value (100kcal /100gr) makes of it a very good energetic drink
- A very important fact is that it does not contain any sodium.
- It does not contain any lactose, casein or gluten either.
References
10. Chevallier A The Encyclopedia of medicinal plants. Dorling Kindersley Press London.1996: 48-51
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/drinks-articles/tiger-nut-drinkmilk-3200256.html
About the AuthorBamishaiye Eunice
Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Kano.
M.Sc Biochemistry