MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SPANISH CHUFA "TIGERNUTS"
CYPERUS SCULENTUS L.
CHARACTERISTICS
The Tigernut (cyperus
sculentus lativum) or 'Chufa' as
it is known in Spanish, is not actually
a nut, but a small tuber. It was
first discovered 4000 years ago
and comes in several varieties,
the most common being 'llargueta'
(long) and 'gordeta' (round). Tigernuts
have long been recognised for their
health benefits, as they are high
in fibre, proteins, and natural
sugars.
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CULTIVATION
Tigernut cultivation requires sandy soil and a mild climate.
As such, the geography of
Valencia, situated on the
Mediterranean coast of Spain,
makes it the ideal location
for producing the highest
quality Tigernuts.
The Tigernuts
grown here in Valencia have
an intense, sweet flavour,
smooth skin, and uniform shape.
Tigernuts are planted during
April and May and must be
irrigated every week until
they are harvested in November
and December.
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Plantation
growing |
Plantation
ready for
being harvested |
Tigernuts
Plant |
WASHING
Immediately after
harvest, the Tigernuts are washed
with water in order to remove any
sand and small stones.
DRYING
Once the Tigernuts have been cleaned,
they are dried out in order to preserve
them. This is a natural process
that requires 3 months. Temperature
and humidity levels are carefully
monitored during this period. The
Tigernuts are turned over every
day to ensure uniform drying.
SELECTION
Only the highest quality Tigernuts
are selected for sale. Small and
damaged Tigernuts are removed by
an automatic process before packaging.
HORCHATA
The "Horchata" is a
vegetable milk made with Tigernuts
juice. That is an alternative milk
to cows milk and to soya milk. Horchata
is very popular in Spain, and other
countries are currently discovering
and appreciating this milk. Horchata
is refreshing, very nutritional,
with a high energy content and rich
in minerals and vitamins E and C.
| NUTRITIONAL
VALUE OF A 200 CC. GLASS OF
HORCHATA |
| STARCH |
1’12% |
| VEGETABLE
FAT |
1’30% |
| CARBOHYDRATES
|
12’60% |
| PROTEIN
|
0’35
% |
| FIBRE
|
0’38% |
| ENERGETIC
VALUE |
132 Cal. |
