Tigernut drink is a very popular drink in Nigeria and some other part of the world, some people call it superfood because of the benefits it contains. Tigernut has a marble-like shape and wrinkle on the outside, got its name from a tiger striped exterior. It has some sweet, nutty, gritty inside but very tasty. When chew raw the shaft/outer part is not swallowed.
In Nigeria, tigernut drink is popularly hawked by the roadside and the tigernut itself is commonly sold by the Northerners and it is also known as Ofio, I used dates and this is also called dabino you can find it in the dried fruits aisle in your grocery store.
Ofio/Tigernut can be eaten raw (cleaned), roasted, juice out, or boiled. For prolonged shelf life get the dried ones but if you can easily get fresh where you reside you can go for the fresh ones. Tigernut is a good substitute for milk, but if you’re sensitive to high fiber you might want to pass to avoid gas, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea.
Previously, I read that tigernut is used as an aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic medicine I’m not sure but if you’re interested you can do more research about it. The shaft of the blended tigernut can be sundried and blend into a powder. This powder can be used in baking or in swallow (like Fufu).
This drink is mostly enjoyed chilled it high in carbohydrate and it also has some health benefits:
- It acts as a prebiotic
- It stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
- It is a source of magnesium
- It is high in fiber
- It is a source of potassium
- It is a source of Vegetable proteins
You might want to try;
- 2 Cups Tiger nut
- 1 Big Coconut flesh (chopped) optional
- 1/2 Cup Dates (chopped); use more or less
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger (minced) optional
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla essence/cinnamon powder (optional)
Hydrate the tiger nut in water and place in the refrigerator (to avoid fermentation) for 24-48 hours. If you're using fresh tigernut just rinse and blend with whatever you want to add.
Pit the dates and chop into pieces, I’m using pitted so I don’t need to do pit.
- Brake up the coconut and cut into small pieces
- Drain the tiger nut and rinse again. If there are black tigernuts among the ones you soaked pick them out.
Blend the tiger nut, coconut, dates together with water. Let the water be enough just to cover the tiger nuts and others. Don't be tempted to add a lot of ginger so it won't overpower the drink.
You will need a cheesecloth and this is how the cheesecloth I used look like, use any fine sieve and if you're in doubt you can sieve twice.
Pour the blended mixture into the cheesecloth/strainer/mesh and sieve the content.
- Make sure you rinse out the blender and sieve everything together.
Pour in a jar/ bottled and refrigerate. When you're ready to drink add cinnamon powder or one-two drops of vanilla essence but this is optional.
Tigernut drink is good to drink up within a day but that being said It can stay in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Make sure all the container you're using are clean because it doesn't involve coking and if you must slight warm it up and cool down completely before refrigerating.
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Detailed and helpful!
Hi Enw,
Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad the post is helpful.