Since their earliest cultivation, tiger nuts have been recognized for their nutritional value.
When eaten raw, they leave an almond-like taste and disintegrate on the tongue within moments of chewing.
Tiger nuts can be cooked, dried, rehydrated, ground into flour, or processed into a drink. In Nigeria, the consumption of tiger nut drinks is resurgent—the drink is dairy-free, gluten-free, and compatible with vegan diets.
How to Make Tiger Nut Drink
In Nigeria, most people call tiger nut drink by its local name, kunu aya. Here’s how to make the flavorful drink:
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups of tiger nuts (dried or fresh)
- 4-6 cups of water
- Ginger (for spicy flavor)
- Dates (optional, for sweetness)
- Coconut shavings or bananas (both optional for added flavor)
- Sugar or honey (if not using dates)
Instructions:
- Soak the tiger nuts: You’re more likely to find dried tiger nuts than fresh ones. If using dried tiger nuts for your tiger nut drink, soak them overnight or for at least 24 hours to soften. Fresh tiger nuts may only need a few hours of soaking.
- Prepare other ingredients: If using dates, pit them to remove the seed and peel the ginger. Also, de-husk the coconut and break it into pieces before shaving.
- Blend all ingredients: Place the soaked tiger nuts, dates, ginger, and other flavorings in a blender. Add about 2-3 cups of water and blend until smooth.
- Strain the tiger nut drink: Pour the blended mixture through a fine nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a bowl to remove the pulp, pressing or squeezing to extract as much liquid as possible. You can place a few ice cubes in the bowl before straining the drink to preserve it.
- Serve: Pour the strained tiger nut milk into a glass or bottle and refrigerate or place in a freezer.