Aphrodisiac, is that all?
What's up with tiger nuts?
I'm sure you have heard a thing or two about the benefits of this not so nut fruit. Especially in the undersheet department.
Well, there's more to tiger nuts. Here's an excerpt from an article in the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 11, No. 5, 2011
"They are usually preserved by sun drying for about three months before storage. It can be eaten raw, dried, roasted, or grated and can be subjected to further processing. Its uses in cooking and as fuel, baking flour, fish baits; milk in lieu of cow’s milk are outlined. Regarding the plant high percentage of carbohydrates (mono- and di-), fibre, and oil (especially oleic acid) and its moderately high level of protein, minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorous), and vitamins C and E makes it a good source of food for humans and animals. It is a cheap source of nutrition for both the rich and the poor. The health benefits reflect reduction of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, which is good for sports’ men and women and those intending to lose weight; it is also said to serve as a cure for flatulence and diarrhea, and as control against heart attacks, thrombosis and colon cancer, among others. The presence of anti-nutrients like polyphenols and tannins can be eliminated by boiling in water. The tiger nut, though under-utilized, is still a good food snack for all. There is a need for awareness creation on tiger nut’s inherent nutritional properties."
Tigernut milk which is the whitish liquid extracted from soaked and milled nuts can be used to replace milk in baking and cooking for vegetarians or people who have lactose intolerance.
So the next time you see a mallam roll a cart of tigernuts by, don't only think of Ze oza room, think of its other benefits too!
XX
Olubunmi
I'm sure you have heard a thing or two about the benefits of this not so nut fruit. Especially in the undersheet department.
Well, there's more to tiger nuts. Here's an excerpt from an article in the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 11, No. 5, 2011
"They are usually preserved by sun drying for about three months before storage. It can be eaten raw, dried, roasted, or grated and can be subjected to further processing. Its uses in cooking and as fuel, baking flour, fish baits; milk in lieu of cow’s milk are outlined. Regarding the plant high percentage of carbohydrates (mono- and di-), fibre, and oil (especially oleic acid) and its moderately high level of protein, minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorous), and vitamins C and E makes it a good source of food for humans and animals. It is a cheap source of nutrition for both the rich and the poor. The health benefits reflect reduction of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, which is good for sports’ men and women and those intending to lose weight; it is also said to serve as a cure for flatulence and diarrhea, and as control against heart attacks, thrombosis and colon cancer, among others. The presence of anti-nutrients like polyphenols and tannins can be eliminated by boiling in water. The tiger nut, though under-utilized, is still a good food snack for all. There is a need for awareness creation on tiger nut’s inherent nutritional properties."
Tigernut milk which is the whitish liquid extracted from soaked and milled nuts can be used to replace milk in baking and cooking for vegetarians or people who have lactose intolerance.
So the next time you see a mallam roll a cart of tigernuts by, don't only think of Ze oza room, think of its other benefits too!
XX
Olubunmi
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