Tigernut drink is a very popular drink in Nigeria and some other parts of the world, some people call it a 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, tiger nut drink is popularly hawked by the roadside and the tiger nut 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 the high fiber you might want to pass to avoid gas, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea.
Previously, I read that tiger nut 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 tiger nut 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)
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Hydrate the tiger nut in water and place it in the refrigerator (to avoid fermentation) for 24-48 hours. If you're using fresh tiger nut just rinse, pick any dirt and blend with water you want to add.
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Pit the dates and chop them into pieces, I’m using pitted so I don’t need to do that.
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Break up the coconut and cut it into small pieces
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Drain the tiger nut (if you're using dried ones) and rinse again. If there are black/bad tiger nuts among the ones you soaked pick them out.
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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.
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You will need a cheesecloth and attached the picture of the cheesecloth I used, you could use any fine sieve and if you're in doubt you can sieve twice.
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Pour the blended mixture into the cheesecloth/strainer/mesh and sieve the content.
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Make sure you rinse out the blender and sieve everything together.
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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.
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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.
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SErve and enjoy!
Make sure all the containers you're using are clean because it doesn't involve cooking but if you must, slightly warm (the drink)it up it shouldn't boil allow it to cool down completely before refrigerating.
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Pls i have soak my tigernut for 5days coz of no light and my coconut too is soaked pls hope it will not spoil coz am planning of grinding it tomorrow and buying block to make it cold
I do not recommend it. However, if must do that you’ll need to rinse daily.
‘ pls will i blend both d coconut, date, nd ginger together with d tigernut, do i need to cook it after grinding it
Hello Patience,
You don’t need to soak after blending.
Thanks a lot.. Very helpful
You’re welcome.
This is indeed wonderful. Thank you.
I have learnt much.
Hello Josephine,
Thank you for stopping by.
Read sunwia d tiger nut drink can be refrigerated up to a week…
Detailed and helpful!
Hi Enw,
Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad the post is helpful.