Tiger nut

Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) – Offered by Le Potager Ornemental de Catherine

The edible tiger nut , also known as chufa, earth almond or tiger nut , is an ancient vegetable native to Egypt with multiple culinary uses. It produces small, sweet and crunchy tubers , which are eaten raw, grilled, made into flour or transformed into vegetable milk . It is notably the main ingredient of the famous horchata de chufa , a Spanish drink with a sweet and refreshing taste.

This annual plant resembles a grass and reaches about 50 cm in height . It adapts well to open ground as well as to pots , and is not invasive in zone 4b , although it can survive under cover in a greenhouse. Easy to grow , it offers a delicious and original harvest, perfect for lovers of rare and nutritious plants.

Characteristics of the variety

Type : Annual plant with edible tubers
Plant habit : Upright, grass-like
Height : Approximately 50 cm
Maturity : 90 to 120 days
Tuber color : Light brown, striated
Flavor : Sweet, slightly nutty
Use : Raw or grilled consumption, horchata, flour, oil
Attraction : Nutritious plant, easy to grow
Quantity per sachet : ±30 seeds
Origin : Egypt, cultivated since Antiquity
Special feature : Suitable for growing in pots, non-invasive in cold climates

Cultivation method

?? Exposure : Full sun
?? Sowing : Indoors at the beginning of April , in pots, then transplant after all risk of frost
?? Sowing depth : 2 cm
?? Germination temperature : 28-30°C
? Germination time : 4 to 30 days
?? Spacing : 15 cm between plants
?? Watering : Regular, likes slightly moist soil
?? Maintenance : Hoe around the plants and mulch to retain moisture

With optimal conditions, the edible chufa guarantees a harvest of tasty and nutritious tubers , ideal for the curious and gourmets looking for plant-based alternatives .

Use and special features

?? A superfood with multiple uses
Its sweet and slightly nutty taste makes it delicious raw, in flour or in the form of vegetable milk .

?? Horchata de chufa, a delicious vegetable milk
Rich in nutrients, it is appreciated in Spain for its sweet and refreshing flavor .

?? A simple and accessible culture
Hardy and undemanding, it grows well in open ground or in pots , offering a generous and original harvest .