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    Home » Homemade Cooking Staples » Homemade Tigernut Milk (Horchata De Chufa)

    updated: January 31, 2021

    Homemade Tigernut Milk (Horchata De Chufa)

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy page for details.

    Tigernut milk is a delicious, dairy and nut-free milk alternative that's easy to make at home! If you've been let down by other plant-milks, give this one a try! Tigernuts truly do make a smooth, creamy and slightly sweet plant-milk, perfect for teas, coffee, and even drinking on its own!

    A jar of tigernut milk with a blue straw beside a spilled bowl of tigernuts.


    But, before we get ahead of ourselves, let's get one thing cleared up straight away because if your mind is anything like mine, I know exactly what you're thinking…
    The tigernuts we're talking about here do not come from any part of a tiger's anatomy!

    Alright, now that we've got that cleared up… let's talk nutrition!

    What Are Tigernuts?

    Tigernuts (also known as chufas) are, in fact, mini tubers, not nuts! They come from a plant called yellow nutsedge (hence the name). This plant is part of the sedge family, which are actually grasslike and considered a weed in some areas (far from tree nuts). Although they do kind of resemble a nut, these little tubers (tignernuts) grow underground. They are a part of the plant's root system. They are round, have little craters all over, and their skin is an earthy orange-brown, while underneath, they are creamy-white. After they are harvested, they are usually dried for long-term storage. However, once dried, they become quite hard, so they're best enjoyed after re-soaking, anywhere from 12 - 48 hours.

    Health Benefits of Tigernut Milk

    Nut-Free

    One thing I love about tigernut milk is that despite the name, it's actually nut-free!
    As mentioned above, tigernuts are, in fact, tubers that grow beneath the dirt just like potatoes and are classified under the sedge family, making them an excellent alternative for those with nut allergies.

    Superfood

    The medicinal benefits of tigernuts date back thousands of years. There have even been findings that the ancient Egyptians consumed them! With so many beneficial nutrients, it comes as no surprise that tigernuts are known as a superfood.

    Great Source Of Many Vitamins & Minerals

    Tigernuts and tigernut milk are a great source of many vitamins and minerals. They are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

    Brain Health

    Tigernuts not only contain the many vitamins and minerals listed above but also a very important amino acid, known as glutamic acid. Glutamic acid also acts as a neurotransmitter crucial for healthy brain development and function.

    Beneficial Fats

    Contrary to what many believe about fat, good fats play a crucial role in maintaining many aspects of our health. Tigernuts are a good source of some of these beneficial fats, including the monounsaturated fat, oleic acid. This specific type of fat has anti-inflammatory effects and supports HDL (the good cholesterol). Good fats are also crucial for brain health, joint health, bowel movements, skin, hair, and so much more! And believe it or not, consuming good fats can also actually help with weight loss.

    Digestive & Gut Health

    Tigernuts can be a life savour when it comes to digestive troubles. First off, since they aren't a nut or a grain, they are much easier to digest. Secondly, tigernuts contain three different digestive enzymes, which help to break them and other nutrients down to be absorbed by the body. They are also very high in fibre, primarily resistant starch, making them an exceptionally beneficial prebiotic and a great aid in digestion and gut health.

    A bottle of tigernut milk in the middle of spilled tigurnuts.

    How to Prepare Tigernut Milk

    Tigernut Milk (commonly known in Spanish as Horchata de Chufa) is easy to make and is so incredibly delicious. The hardest part is waiting for them to soak.

    What You Will Need

    To make tigernut milk you really only need a few things!

    • Tigernuts
    • Filtered or Spring Water
    • A Good Blender
    • Nut Milk Bag / Clean Cloth
    • Container to Store In (Preferably Glass)

    Soaking Your Tigernuts

    As mentioned above, tigernuts are quite hard and best soaked for at least 12 hours but preferably 24 - 48 (it just gives the milk that perfectly smooth, creamy richness).

    To soak your tigernuts, place them in a container and cover with water. Add enough water, so they are fully submerged. They do expand a little so make sure to leave about an inch of water above. Cover and leave in the refrigerator for 12 to 48 hours.

    How to Make Tigernut Milk

    Once your tigernuts have soaked for at least 12 hours, you can either drain the soaking water or use it in your milk for a little more flavour. If you drained your tiger nuts, add them to your blender with four cups of water. If you're using the soaking water, pour the water along with the tigernuts into your blender and add about three cups of water.

    A bowl of tigernuts soaking in water.

    Blend the tigernuts and water for one to three minutes, or until the tigernuts have all broken down. They won't give you a completely smooth milk right away like cashew milk. You will see tiny bits floating around (especially if your tigernuts have not been skinned). Once your milk is blended to your liking, pour through a nut milk bag or a clean cloth and squeeze out the milk.

    Freshly blended tigernut milk being strained through a plant milk bag.
    Tigernut Milk being squeezed through a plant milk bag.

    You don't have to waste all that tigernut pulp either! It contains lots of good fibre, so be sure to save it to make some energy balls, edible cookie dough and more! Stay tuned for some recipes.

    THIS RECIPE IS...


    • Vegan
    • Dairy-Free
    • Anti-Inflammatory
    • Cholesterol Supporting
    • A Good Source of Prebiotic Fibre

    Uses For Your Tigernut Milk

    • Roasted Tomato Soup
    • Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie
    • Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
    • Healthy Pineapple Smoothie
    • Creamy Vegan Beet Soup
    • Dandy Cinnamon Dolce Latte
    A bottle of tigernut milk with a blue straw in the middle of spilled tigernuts.

    If you've tried this Homemade Tigernut Milk recipe, let me know how it was by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more wildly nutritious recipes!

    A bowl of tigernuts soaking in water.

    Homemade Tigernut Milk

    Recipe By : Michelle McCowan
    5 from 1 vote
    A creamy, slightly sweet plant-based milk that is perfect for teas, coffee and lattes!
    Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Soaking Time 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 10 mins
    Dietary GF, Nut Free, Oil Free, Soy Free, Sugar Free, Vegan
    Season(s) All Seasons
    Difficulty Moderate
    Yield 1 Quart / 4 Cups

    Equipment

    • High Speed Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups Filtered Water (plus extra for soaking)
    • 1 cup Tigernuts

    Instructions
     

    • Place tigernuts in a glass container and cover with water (giving an inch or two above as tigernuts will soak up some of the water).
    • Cover with a lid and let the tigernuts soak for 24 - 48 hours.
    • Strain the water and rinse the tigernuts if you're not using the soaking water. If you prefer a more flavourful milk, add the tigernuts along with soaking water into your blender.
    • Add four cups of filtered water if you strained your tigernuts. Add three cups if you added the soaking water.
    • Blend on high for a few minutes and get the tigernuts ground as much as you can. You will see little bits floating around, especially if the tigernuts have not been skinned.
    • Once the tigernuts are blended to a fine pulp, pour through a nut milk bag or a clean cloth and squeeze the milk out. This will give you a smooth, pulp-free milk!
    • Use up right away or store in the refridgerater in a sealed jar for up to three days.

    Notes


    You can always play around with the water - tigernut ratio to get the consistency of your liking. Add less water to get it thicker and more to make it thinner.

    *Shake well before using as all the nutritious fibre settles to the bottom!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 15mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 7mg
    Total Servings : 4 Cups
    HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?We love seeing your Beet of the Wild creations! Tag @beetofthewild on Instagram & use the hashtag #beetofthewild

    Lipsky, R. (2003) One Trip Around the Sun - A Guide to Using Diet, Herbs, Exercise and Meditation to Harmonize with the Seasons. River Wood Books, Oregon.

    Murray, M., Pizzorno, J., Pizzorno, L. (2005) The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. Atria Books, New York.

    Posted by Michelle McCowan on May 25, 2019 Filed Under: All Recipes, Autumn Recipes, Drinks, Gluten-Free Recipes, Holistic Living, Homemade Cooking Staples, Oil Free Recipes, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegan & Dairy-Free Recipes, Winter Recipes

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