You might have seen these little round nuts sold alongside coconuts and dates in wheelbarrows by Hausa men in local markets today. Popularly known as Ofio in Yorùbá, Imumu in Igbo, and Aya In Hausa, many relish the delicious taste of tiger nuts, either raw or processed as smoothies or juices.
This street snack is found in some parts of the world as a weed, referred to as chufa nuts or earth almonds, regardless of what they’re known as, there’s no doubt that tiger nuts have become a popular staple in different places around Nigeria due to factors such as their inexpensive costs, refreshing taste and health benefits.
Tiger nuts are a great source of vitamins and minerals. They are also a natural energy source, including starch and sucrose, essential for carrying out bodily activities and fostering growth. However, you’ll be shocked to learn some interesting facts about these nuts. Come with us as we take you through some of them.
- Tiger nuts are not “nuts.”
Just as you shouldn’t judge books by their covers, some things shouldn’t be judged by their names; tiger nuts are one. Did you know that they are classified as root vegetables? They grow underground, and the tubers grow to the size of peanuts.
The only connection between tiger nuts and actual nuts is their size. Tiger, on the other hand, comes from its stripy, tiger-print-like exterior.
- They’ve existed for a long time
Contrary to what many think, tiger nuts have been around for centuries. It is believed that the first people to have grown it were the Egyptians. These crops were priceless and cherished enough to be entombed and discovered with buried Egyptians from the 4th millennium B.C. to the 5th century A.D.
The meal has been discovered in mummies’ stomachs. They were roasted, served with honey, and cooked in beer by the ancient Egyptians. On their tombs, they even had carvings of this root vegetable. Records from present-day Valencia, Spain, even reveal that people used these nutritious tubers to make a drink called Horchata de chufa.
- Tiger nuts are an aphrodisiac
Men for a long time have used tiger nuts as an aphrodisiac to increase sperm and libido. The continuous ingestion of tiger nuts can promote sexual activity, according to . For years, Nigerian men have utilized tiger nuts to treat erectile dysfunction, stimulate libido, and increase sperm count.
It’s commonly added to drinks and is intended to treat men with erectile dysfunction and increase sexual excitement. They are combined with ginger, dates, and coconut milk to create a popular drink in Spain.
- They help with weight loss
All diets that promote weight loss contain fibre. That’s why tiger nuts are great, as they have a significant amount of resistant starch fibre. Without being digested, resistant starch travels into the stomach and small intestine.
By lowering blood sugar surges and keeping you fuller for longer, they can help with weight loss. Therefore, adding tiger nuts to your diet would be beneficial for those who are watching their weight.
- They come in both dried and fresh varieties
Tiger nuts come in both dried and fresh varieties and are delicious to nibble on. The dried ones can be difficult to chew. When the dry ones are immersed in water for a few hours, they rehydrate and become soft enough to eat.
Their nutritional uses don’t end here.
For vegans or people who dislike dairy milk, you can extract tiger nut milk and use it as an alternative. In several places, including Nigeria, the nuts are roasted for baking by the confectionery industry.
Because they create such a pleasant taste, most biscuit businesses now use them seriously in their production. The oil derived from these nuts can also be used to make soap, starch extract and ice cream flavouring.
