GOOD TO KNOW
The Tigernut – Neither nut nor almond
It originally is from Africa, but is neither a nut nor a stone fruit (such as almonds), it belongs to the sour grass family. Therefore it looks like a grass. At its roots grow pea-sized nodules – the tigernuts. In Spain (especially in Valencia) the so-called “Chufa” has a very high value. You can buy it dried or ground in shops. But you can also eat it raw, roasted, boiled or fried. Roasted, for example, the tigernuts can be used as a healthy coffee substitute or ground as a gluten-free flour variant. And since they are not nuts, tigernuts are also a good choice for people who have nut allergies.
They also contain a lot of important nutrients, especially fibre. Their content is even higher than that of Chia seeds, for example. Fibre binds water in the large intestine, swells up and increases the volume of the food. This stimulates our digestion and helps to eliminate constipation. In addition, tigernuts are very satiating and thus reduce attacks of ravenous hunger. They can therefore also help you lose weight. We also need fibre for detoxification, as it binds metabolic toxins and ensures that they are eliminated. Fibre also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and has a positive effect on our intestinal flora and pancreas.
Tigernuts also contain many minerals, especially potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus and vitamin E (even more than olive oil). It also provides valuable fats (25g of 100g!), especially the monounsaturated fatty acids, which are considered to be very healthy as they can improve the balance of cholesterol levels.
Nice To Know:
Have you ever tried Tigernut-Milk? It comes from Valencia and is one of the most popular soft drinks in Spain. It is an ideal substitute for cow’s milk and is therefore particularly suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
