La Valencian gastronomy and, especially, its garden, is characterized by the great variety and quality of its products. Many of them are very popular all over the country and even the continent. One of the most unknown, but with the best features is the chufa. Which was recently claimed as "Superfood". Surely you have already heard of this product before as one of the ingredients that appear in the preparation of the horchata, although, obviously, it is not the main one. Do you want to know the origin and properties of this rich tuber? It's your perfect opportunity to open up your pantry to another superfood.
Origin of the tigernut
No one knows exactly what the real origin of the chufa. What is known is that it was a highly appreciated food in the Ancient Egypt. Many accounts define it as a plant that grew naturally on the banks of rivers. Apart from this, it was believed that he had therapeutic and medicinal functions in cultures such as Persian or Islamic, these being the ones that would extend its cultivation in Mediterranean areas, reaching the Iberian Peninsula around the XNUMXth century.
La chufa reached the regions of the current Valencian Community and was established as a generalized crop from the eighteenth century. And, currently, the cultivation and production of this food is still concentrated specifically in 16 towns from the Valencian region of L'Horta Nord. It is even worth noting that more than 90% of production is covered by the Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin, which recognizes the value of tigernut from Valencia.
What is tigernut?
Believe it or not, the chufa it really is the part underground of the plant Cyperus esculentus, better known as countersunk sedge. Therefore, it is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows on vertical stems up to a maximum of 50 centimeters high. And it is, it is underground where the globose tuber from which the famous tigernuts. These have a small size and a color earthy brown with a more or less rounded shape. And, above all, an aspect rugged very characteristic.
Appearance tabby presented by this tuber is given by its fine wrinkled skin that shows lines that occupy its entire surface. Thanks to this feature, the chufa It is known by different names depending on the country. For example, tiger nut in English, now tiger in French or tigernuss in German. Finally, and as a curious fact, you should know that, in the gastronomic section, it is considered a dried fruit, although it really is a family of the potato or sweet potato.
See this post on Instagram
Great nutritional properties
As we have already mentioned before, the chufa it is considered as a superfood. And it is that, it is a product very nutritious with great beneficial properties for the body. In fact, it is possible to include it in all subsistence allowance, whatever your requirement.
Without cooking, it already offers you up 500 kilocalories for every 100 grams, something that is reduced in its form of drink. In addition, it stands out for its high content in healthy fats, carbohydrates and fiber, always without cholesterol. Therefore, it is a great source of energy. Coupled with all this, it has a high presence of folic acid or vitamin B9. On the other hand, it is a great source of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and even football.
More or less hard to find
As it is a product that is concentrated almost entirely in the Valencian Community, it may be something difficult find him. Despite this, the rise in popularity it is experiencing is making more and more supermarkets bet on your sale. In more specialized stores such as El Corte Inglés you will be able to find tigernuts tubs of about 250 grams. Even in local or organic shops.
However, you also have the option to buy it online. And is that, Amazon has found the opportunity and has already made it available to all its customers. You can even get up to 25 kilos at once. When you have bought it, you just have to take a look at its best recipes and get down to work in your kitchen. These are some of them:
-
- horchata tigernut
- Sweet balls with tigernut pulp
- Cake tigernut pulp
See this post on Instagram
Have you had a chance to try the tigernut previously? It is a superfood that grows underground with spectacular qualities and a noteworthy taste. If you are a resident of the Valencian Community or you have planned to take a trip through the area… Don't forget to enjoy this product!
