Inspiration for this article : Chewing on a bowl of Tiger nuts.
I am chewing on some tiger nuts right now and loving it. I must admit they are not half as bad as I thought. In fact, they have quite an interesting taste. The harder you chew on them, the more a burst of sweet milky juice fills your mouth. I observed only two minor downsides to these nuts. One is that, because it is a little hard and crunchy especially when consumed fresh, all that chewing, can put a strain on one's jaw and before long, your jaw feels tired and weary. The second downside is that, since the ears and mouth are internally connected, the sound of yourself chewing might be the only sound you might here for a while. So, my candid advice, don't consume when you are taking a dictation. Other than that, it is ideal as a healthy snack or distraction.
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| Tiger nuts |
I am chewing on some tiger nuts right now and loving it. I must admit they are not half as bad as I thought. In fact, they have quite an interesting taste. The harder you chew on them, the more a burst of sweet milky juice fills your mouth. I observed only two minor downsides to these nuts. One is that, because it is a little hard and crunchy especially when consumed fresh, all that chewing, can put a strain on one's jaw and before long, your jaw feels tired and weary. The second downside is that, since the ears and mouth are internally connected, the sound of yourself chewing might be the only sound you might here for a while. So, my candid advice, don't consume when you are taking a dictation. Other than that, it is ideal as a healthy snack or distraction.
Though called tiger nuts, these nuts are not actually nuts, but more of a tiny tuber vegetable. If you look closely, the skin and shape of the nuts would remind you of a small tuber. Among the Hausas, they are referred to as Aya, ofio to the Yorubas . Not sure, what it is called in the eastern part of Nigeria, though.
Nutritional Profile of Tiger nuts
As small as these nuts are, they are surprisingly packed full of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, C, B1, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, Fibre, proteins, starch, natural sugars and healthy fats. Amazing, right? They are what I would call 'small but powerful'.
Surprising Nutritional Facts about Tiger Nuts
Tiger nuts has a higher Fibre content than most well known Fibre foods such as oats. Unbelievable, right? Just consuming a cup of Tiger nuts is enough to give one the required daily amount of Fibre. This nutrient is key to maintaining a healthy digestive tract and preventing the storage of excess body fat.
Tiger nuts are a major source of potassium. Potassium is essential for a healthy heart and nervous system. Eating half a cup of Tiger nuts is enough to provide the required daily amount of potassium. This level is more than the amount in a single banana, thus making this special kind of nut, to be on the same level with the top potassium-rich foods such as banana and potatoes.
Ever wondered if you are getting sufficient magnesium from your foods? Including several handfuls of nuts in your daily meal plan will help allay those fears. With just about 100 grams of Tiger nuts, your body gets about a quarter of the recommended daily amount of magnesium. Tiger nuts are one of the best natural sources of magnesium and this mineral is essential in promoting muscle, bone and nerve health. It is also required in regulating the body's blood sugar levels as well as the production of new cells.
Tiger nuts have anti cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in vitamins such as vitamin E and C; and arginine. These antioxidants help the body fight off free radicals and prevent inflammatory conditions such as an elevated blood pressure, clogged arteries, erectile dysfunction, heart failures and cancers.
In Nigeria, tiger nuts are grown in the north and popular among the northerners, that explains why it is majorly seen and sold from the wheel barrows carried around by Mallams.
The Nutritionally Rich and Delicious Tiger Nuts Milk.
The extraction of milk from tiger nuts is traditional to Nigerians and very popular, especially, among the Hausas. This milk is a safe and healthy option especially for those who are lactose intolerant or have any health concerns and are looking for plant sources of milk as opposed to animal sources. This milk is also great for those with diabetes or who suffer from heart conditions, because of its Fibre content, heart friendly fats, vitamins and natural sugars. This milk doesn't elevate the blood sugar levels. Great news, right?
How to Make a Delicious Cup of Tiger Nuts Milk.
All you need to make a delicious drink of Tiger nuts milk is a medium sized bowl of Tiger nuts, boiled water, a cinnamon stick and cardamom pods(optional).
To prepare, rinse the nuts thoroughly in a clean bowl of water. Pour out the dirty water and replace with room temperature boiled water. Make sure the water covers the entire bowl of nuts. Put in the cinnamon stick. Then, leave to soak and soften for half a day or a full day. After that, pour the entire content of the bowl, in a high-powered blender. If you have some cardamom pods, now is the time to add it. Three pods of these, is fine. A cardamom pod is a dried seed spice from Asian origin, used in adding flavors to foods. Blend until mixture is smooth. You can add a little more water if you feel the mixture is too thick. Use a seive to separate out the liquid milk. Then refrigerate. Enjoy when cold or serve over ice.
Action Point
So, if you are yet to taste the milky goodness of Tiger nuts, there's no better time to do that than now, because the nuts are in season from the second quarter of the year. So don't just walk past them, stop and get some for yourself and family. I bet you, your children, if you have any, will love it.
In the meantime, I think I will go back to my bowl of tigernuts. It will be rude to keep my nutty friend waiting any longer.
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