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. Making sure the water is enough just to cover the tiger nuts and other ingredients. 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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Please do I still need to soak a fresh tiger nut for 24hours & change the water?
Hello maria, you do not need to soak it for 24 hours. Soaking it for a few hours is good to allow it to swell up and for easy blending.
Please if I am getting a fresh tiger nut do I need to soak it for 24hours ?and again what’s the benefits of putting in vanilla ? Thank you.
Please if I am getting a fresh tiger nut do I need to soak it for 24hours ?and again what’s the benefits of putting in vanilla ? Thank you.
This was helpful. Thanks
Can I add more date and ginger after extracting the milk when I realized it wasn’t tasteful
Hello Precious,
Sure you can adjust as much as you desire.
Thanks for stopping by.
Should i soak the tigernut, dates,coconut and ginger together for that 48hrs before blending it? And after blending, should i soak it again?
Just tiger nut and you don’t need to soak afterward.
Gud morning ma pls what type of flavor should I use
I like vanilla.
Hello ma
Pls is there any presentation I can add to make it last for 2 to 3 days
I do NOT add preservatives, however, you can freeze it.
Thanks a lot have really gain somethings
Awesome! Thank you for stopping by.
Can I add milk to the tiger nut and other ingredients when am about to blend or I should blend all excluding the milk then add milk when am about to drink… also is it a must I add ginger to it
Blend excluding milk… I’ve not tried it without it.
Thank you for stopping by.
Am gonna try this and i wish for a nice outcome
I await your feedback.
Thank you for stopping by.
Thanks for the vital information, I made my tigernut but it was thick and then I later discovered some oil clumsy after refrigerating it I need to know the reasons behind this
Thank you for your feedback, Remilekun!
That will be from the coconut.
For the thickness, you can always add more water to it.
I hope this helps!
Is it advise for a pregnant woman to drink tigernut drink
Is it advise for a pregnant woman to drink tigernut drink
Is it advise for a pregnant woman to drink tigernut drink
Yes, Maryjane. However, you might want to consult your doctor before drinking it.
Am gonna look into this ..hoping that it will give me nice result
It does, Dorlin!
I hope you try it out.
Thanks for stopping by.
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.