Background

Tiger nut (atadwe, earth almonds, nutsedge, earth nuts, rush nuts, and chufas), an edible tuber, is found in Southern Europe, Africa as well as the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. They have become naturalized in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone and can be found in the wild, as a weed, or as a crop. Tiger nuts are consumed for their nutritional or medicinal value. It is used as a snack food and for the preparation of several milk-like beverages with several nutritional benefits.

In some parts of the world, they are medicinally known to have aphrodisiac (sexual enhancement properties), carminative (relieving flatulence), diuretic (make you urinate more), emmenagogue (are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus; some stimulate menstruation) and stimulating properties (unique immune-boosting properties).

Tiger nuts heaped in a container

In Ghana, one of the leading farmers in Tiger Nut production is Mr. Kofi Vinyo who leads the Kofi Vinyo Company Limited in Kwatire in the Bono Region. They are producing thousands of acres of Tiger Nuts for its by-products.

Products from Tiger Nuts

They can be eaten freshly dug out of the ground, or roasted, boiled, or juiced. Packaged tiger nuts have been dried to make them shelf-stable; they’re also sold as tiger nut flour, tiger nut milk and oil (both edible and as biodisel) . All come with numerous health benefits.

Kofi Vinyo Company Limited (KVCL) located in the Bono Region, Ghana is producing varieties of products from Tiger Nuts for local (Kwatire office and distributing shops) and international (Amazon and other online portals) distribution. Some of their products include Tiger Nut powder, Tiger Nut Fish and poultry meal, and Tiger Nut cooking oil.

KVCL products from Tiger Nuts_DAG label
Tiger Nut powder from KVCL, Ghana

 Benefits from Tiger Nuts

Nuts in general are known to have tremendous health benefits and that does not exclude Tiger Nuts. Thouh, in strict classification, they are tubers as mentioned earlier, their health benefits are synonymous to those obtained from nuts.

On average, one ounce (28 grams) provides:

  • Calories: 103–121
  • Fiber: 2–7 grams
  • Carbs: 9 grams
  • Protein: 1 gram
  • Fat: 7–9 grams
  • Vitamin E: 278% of the daily value (DV)
  • Iron: 13–40% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 9–11% of the DV
  • Vitamin C: 2–8% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 7% of the DV
  • Zinc: 5–7% of the DV
  • Potassium: 3–5% of the DV
  • Calcium: 1% of the DV

It has a higher percentage of fats/oil. When some of its constituents were compared to the olive fruit, it is remarkable that the oils are similar in composition except colour and taste that are different. This means that Tiger Nut oil can be used and obtain all the benefits one gets from olive oil.

These fiber-packed tubers can improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels. Moreover, the high antioxidant content in tiger nuts helps fight free radicals, consequently lowering the risk of chronic inflammation and certain cancers. And if that’s not enough to convince you to start eating them already, these nutty tubers also promote digestion and gut health. In another research, exclusive use of olive oil was found to lower the risk of people developing heart problems by almost 50%. It is clear that exclusive use of Tiger Nut oil during food preparation could offer significant protection against heart diseases irrespective of various clinical, lifestyle and other characteristics from the research.

Pancake mixture prepared from Tiger Nut powder using a modified recipe

Pancake prepared with Tiger Nut powder and fried with Tiiger Nut oil. Courtesy PORTDEN Catering Services

In brief and as summarized and captured elsewhere;

  1. Tiger nuts are tubers rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial plant compounds. Germinating or roasting tiger nuts prior to eating them can boost their antioxidant levels and improve your body’s ability to absorb its nutrients.
  2. Tiger nuts are a good source of insoluble fiber, which can prevent constipation and help your digestion run smoothly. Add them to your diet gradually to avoid unpleasant gas or bloating.
  3. Tiger nuts are rich in fiber and arginine, both of which can contribute to lower blood sugar levels. They also contain compounds that may reduce how much sugar is absorbed in your gut after a carb-rich meal.
  4. Tiger nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats. They may improve vein and artery flexibility and blood circulation, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.
  5. Tiger nuts may contribute to a stronger immune system by fighting infections, including those from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Yet, more research is needed.
  6. Tiger nuts are used as a natural aphrodisiac in some parts of the world. However, human research is needed to confirm their libido-boosting effects.

A blessing for the youth

The CEO of KVCL anticipates that Tiger Nuts may take over the cashew and mango farming business. It is the future especially when most food processing companies are adopting the use of Tiger Nut products as their raw materials. The current demand needs more hands and farms to be able to meet. The company is linking up with other countries to supply the raw materials to enable them supply to their customers.

A plant that takes not more than 4 months to cultivate and sell to a readily available market is to be embraced in addition to the planting for food programme by the populace and the government.

My motivation and experience

Mr Kofi Vinyo has a motivation that is beyond understanding. To undertake farming in a purely organic product is daring. More importantly when you are trying to break grounds in new areas.

As they still educate the public to accept the products on the market and already for sale, know that I have my own experience when I tried the “atadwe” powdered shake. An advocate for bedside conversation I may never disown. This will be talked about next time. Do not be surprised to witness another Tiger Nut farmer in commercial quantities.

Get your Tiger Nut powder and oil to stay young and grow without wrinkles if I may say so.

22 thoughts on “Tiger Nut products: wonder roots under the earth”
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