Tiger nut: cultivation, care & health benefits

The tiger nut is neither a nut, nor an almond, but it is delicious! Here we introduce this unique, sweet tuber, and provide tips for growing it at home.

The tiger nut has been available at most organic shops for years, and is considered extremely healthy. Read on to find out where the tiger nut comes from, what makes it special, and how to cultivate it at home.

Origin and properties of the tiger nut

The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus), also known as the chufa nut, earth almond and nutsedge, is a chewy, tasty tuber. It grows out from the yellow nutsedge plant, which originates from North Africa, and has been popular in southern Europe for centuries. Its name – tiger nut – comes from its striped exterior.

Despite having the nickname earth almond, the tiger nut is neither a nut, nor an almond, but a member of the sedge grass family (Cyperaceae). Nutsedge grass grows 30 to 60 cm tall, and has pointed, triangular leaves. The plant can form yellow flowers in late summer, but rarely does so in the UK. The “nuts” themselves are small, light brown to black nodules that form underground, along the plant’s thick, white roots.

There are several varieties of tiger nut, including: the pea-sized ‘prolific’, the ‘large black’, and the ‘long sweet’. What all of them have in common is a delightfully sweet and nutty taste.

Tip: In many regions, the tiger nut is considered a weed. It tends to spread quickly and displace native plants. To prevent this from happening in your garden, use a root barrier and prune the flowers as they bud.

How to plant tiger nuts

There is only one way to propagate tiger nuts: from seed. Tiger nut seeds are in fact the nodules or “nuts” that grow underground, and can be bought at any gardening shop. Tiger nuts love warmth, but require plenty of water. So if you are planting a tiger nut plant outside, ensure that it has plenty of sun and loose soil that retains water well.

You can plant tiger nuts indoors from March, and outside from May, once the soil is warm enough. To plant a tiger nut plant, first soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight. This will start the germination process. Each seed will need its own pot, which should be filled with a low-nutrient potting soil, like our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost.

Once you have planted your seeds, cover them with about 2 cm of soil and water them well. At 20 to 25°C, the seeds will root and begin to form a shoot. Once this has happened, let the seedlings grow in a cool, bright place, before moving them outside in May. Outside, tiger nut plants need about 30 cm of room between them. Work some slow-release fertiliser into the soil, like Plantura All Purpose Plant Food, and water well.

If you would like to cultivate tiger nuts in a pot, use a relatively deep container, so that the roots have space to grow. Fill the pot with nutrient-rich potting soil, and place 2 to 3 plants into a single pot. Add some slow-release fertiliser to the soil, give the plants a good soak, and place the pot in a warm, sunny location. It is also a good idea to mulch the surface of the soil regularly, so that the soil does not dry out on hot days.

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Tiger nut care

Tiger nuts are very easy to maintain. All they ask is that you water them regularly over the warm summer months. The plants above ground will die off in autumn. However, the nodules are very hardy and will sprout again in spring if the winter has been mild. A thick layer of mulched leaves will help protect these nodules during the cold season. Alternatively, dry some of the seeds and plant them in May, when the soil is warm enough.

Harvesting and preserving tiger nuts

Tiger nuts are ready to harvest from October, once the plant turns brown and dies. To harvest tiger nuts, dig up the roots and remove the nodules. The nodules taste best fresh, with their shells still on, and only lightly rinced. To preserve tiger nuts, however, you will have to dry them gently at 50 to 60 °C in an oven or dehydrator.

Use and composition of tiger nuts

Tiger nuts are very versatile. They are about a quarter fat, one third carbohydrate, and 7% protein. Packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, tiger nuts are extremely healthy, filling and easy to digest: a great alternative to nuts!

Tiger nuts can be eaten raw, but they are mostly found in flour or roasted and sliced in muesli or porridge. Whole, dried tiger nuts are a healthy, filling snack. While in Spain, the tubers are made into horchata de chufa, a refreshing drink.

Looking for more things to grow at home. Why not try peanuts? Learn more about the botany and cultivation of this popular pulse in our dedicated article.