Homemade Tigernut Milk (Kunu Aya / Horchata De Chufas)

Tigernut Milk ( Kunu Aya /Horchata De Chufas) in some countries – is a traditional Nigerian beverage made from tiger nuts, also known as “aya” in the Hausa language. It’s not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.

This Tigernuts brings back memories from my childhood, when I would tag along with my mother to the market. This was one of my favorite snacks to munch on while waiting for my mum to finish her shopping. Nowadays, I buy them mostly, from African grocery stores, Chinese grocery stores or on amazon.

Tigernut Milk / Kunu Aya is a dairy-free, creamy milk that can be taken on its own or with cereals. It is better served cold. It can be made in different ways, but the main ingredient is the Tigernuts. This drink is known as horchata de chufas in Mexico, often made in different varieties that includes cinnamon and vanilla extract as sweeteners.

Benefits of Tigernuts Milk

1. Rich in Nutrients: Tiger nuts are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins E and C. You can get your Tiger nuts from amazon or any African or Mexican grocery store near you.
2. Supports Digestive Health: The fiber content in tiger nuts helps promote digestion and regular bowel movements.
3. Provides Energy: Tiger nuts are a natural source of energy due to their carbohydrate content, making Kunu Aya a great drink for boosting energy levels.
4. Dairy-Free Alternative: Kunu Aya is naturally dairy-free, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
5. Hydration: Kunu Aya is a hydrating beverage, perfect for quenching thirst and staying refreshed.
6. Aphrodisiac: In Nigerian culture, Kunu Aya has gained its reputation as an aphrodisiac through generations of anecdotal evidence and cultural beliefs surrounding certain ingredients and their effects on the body. Scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Easy Steps to make Tigernut Milk

1. Rinse the dried tiger nuts (aya) under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Soak the tiger nuts in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. This will soften them and make them easier to blend.
3. After soaking, drain the water from the tiger nuts and rinse them once again.
4. Place the soaked tiger nuts in a blender, add bananas, coconuts, ginger and dates, along with 4 cups of fresh water.
5. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
6. Strain the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the pulp. Press down on the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.
7. Add any other preferred sweetener at this point. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your preference.
8. If desired, add flavorings such as cinnamon, vanilla extract.
9. Chill the Kunu Aya in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
10. Serve cold and enjoy the refreshing taste of Kunu Aya!

If you are looking for some more African dishes to explore start here, with our Cow Skin Nkwobi and Seafood Pepper Soup

Tigernut Drink (Kunu Aya / Horchata De Chufas)

Kunu Aya Drink, a traditional West African beverage, is refreshing and nutritious. Crafted from millet, tiger nuts, and aromatic spices, it offers a unique flavor, packed with health benefits.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine African

Servings 4

Calories 114 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 Ripe bananas
• 1 cup Tigernuts
• 1 coconut
• 10 dates
• 3 cups water
• 1 ginger

Instructions

 

• Soak tigernuts overnight for 8 hours. When you are ready to make the drink, wash the tigernuts and set aside. Wash the dates and remove the seeds; break the coconut, cut into small pieces and wash clean. Remove the back of the ginger and cut into 2-3 pieces.
  
• Transfer all ingredients to a good blender, add the water and blend till mixture is smooth and creamy.
  
• Transfer to cheesecloth or sieve; strain to separate the liquid from the pulp.
  
• Pour into a container bottle, refrigerate to chill the drink. Kunu Aya is best served cold or with ice.
  

Notes

• For a creamy and smooth consistency, do not skip the soaking process.
• For the common Tigernut milk without any sweetener, use only the tigernuts to make the milk.
• Use a high-speed blender to help to blend the nuts down properly.
• Some other variations of sweeteners are honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract or sugar. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 28.5gProtein: 1.52gFat: 0.62gSaturated Fat: 0.21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.09gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.13gSodium: 59.25mgPotassium: 478mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 35.25IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 0.54mg

Keyword Horchata De Chufas, Kunu Aya, Tigernut Drink

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