Chufa Nuts (Tiger Nuts)

Chufa nuts, also known as tiger nuts, are not nuts at all, but small edible tubers produced by a sedge plant (Cyperus esculentus). Cultivated for thousands of years, these tubers have a long history as a food source in Ancient Egypt, across North Africa, and throughout southern Europe, where they remain an important traditional crop.

They  are naturally sweet, nutty, and slightly coconut-like, with a dense texture when dried and a pleasantly chewy bite once soaked or cooked. Because they are tubers rather than tree nuts, chufa are nut-free and gluten-free, making them suitable for a wide range of diets.

Traditional and Modern Uses

These nuts are best known as the base for horchata de chufa, a traditional Spanish beverage made by soaking and blending the tubers into a creamy, lightly sweet drink. Beyond horchata, chufa can be:

• Soaked and eaten whole
• Roasted and used like nuts
• Ground into flour for baking
• Blended into plant-based milk
• Added to granola, energy bites, or desserts

Dried chufa are very hard and are typically soaked before use to soften them and improve digestibility.

Nutritional Characteristics

These tubers are valued for their dense nutritional profile, particularly in traditional food systems:

• High in dietary fibre, including resistant starch
• Rich in healthy fats, similar in profile to olive oil
• Source of iron, magnesium, and potassium
• Naturally gluten-free and nut-free

Like other fibre-rich tubers, chufa are best introduced gradually into the diet.

Growing and Agricultural Notes

Chufa are a warm-season crop grown from tubers rather than seed. They prefer loose, sandy soil and produce clusters of small tubers beneath the plant. Because chufa belong to the same species as yellow nutsedge, careful cultivation and harvest practices are important to prevent unwanted spread. Cultivated chufa strains are selected specifically for tuber production and flavour.

Storage

Once dried, chufa store well in cool, dry conditions for extended periods. Their long shelf life and versatility have made them a reliable food source across cultures and climates.

Why Chufa Matter

Chufa represent an example of an undervalued root crop with strong ties to historical food systems. Their ability to store dry, grow in marginal soils, and serve multiple culinary purposes makes them relevant in discussions around food security, traditional crops, and resilient agriculture.

Learn more about Chufa Nuts (Tiger Nuts), their superfood benefits, and how they support food security in this Chufa Nut Guide.

These Tiger Nuts are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.