Tigernuts, um what?

You think you have heard it all before, huh? 

Well, apparently tigernuts are a thing. In fact, they are super healthy for you and can be made into a variety of delicious recipes, who knew? (Keep reading for awesome recipe below!)

I came across tigernuts a few months ago in Whole Foods and decided to do some homework.

Tigernuts are actually not nuts, so those with nut allergies can dive right in without worry. 

Tigernuts are actually a starchy tuber cultivated in Africa, Spain and China. Tigernuts are also referred to as chufa, nut grass, or yellow nutsedge. 

I’ll admit that when I first came across the Tigernut Horchatta, I was intrigued but swore I wouldn’t fall into the newest superfood craze. That didn’t last long.

Turns out there’s more to these tigernuts than just a snazzy drink. I had tigernut flour in the test kitchen this past week and am now a firm believer in it’s diverse culinary application as well as it’s incredible health benefits.

The line of Horchata drinks from Organic Gemini come in a variety of flavors and are even safe for those with diabetes. If you pick up a bottle, you’ll notice there is sediment at the bottom of the drink. That’s the resistant starch: essentially a prebiotic starch that supports a healthy immune and digestive system. For those with Type II diabetes, I recommend sticking to the original or even unsweetened Horchata. Click here to read more on resistant starches, like plantains. 

Special shout-out to Organic Gemini for sponsoring this post and contest give-a-way (read until the bottom) and for bringing this exotic and healthy food to the masses.  

Here are 5 reasons I LOVE tigernuts. 

1) They are actually the highest form of resistant starch, higher than plantains and cooked/cooled potatoes. Resistant starches are fantastic for balancing blood sugar, and even helping to improve insulin sensitivity. Click here to learn more about resistant starches. 

2) Tigernuts are a high quality source of pre-biotics, which means they help to cultivate an environment in the micro biome where good bacteria can thrive. According to an Oxford University study,  TigerNuts fueled up to 80% of our Paleo Ancestors’ diet two million years ago. Pretty cool, huh? I doubt they were drinking horchattas and making chocolate chip cookies, like me, nevertheless, they have been a staple in the human diet for some time. See, they aren’t some trendy new food  

3) They are crunchy and portable. It is super important in this world to find healthy snacks that satisfy our nutritional needs while also being quick and easy. Tigernuts can be soaked in water for many hours which increases digestion AND makes them just slightly more mild in taste. Personally, I like them pre-soaked, when they have that extra crunch. Tigernuts would be a great travel snack or something to keep at work to help keep you from running to the nearest candy bowl or vending machine. These would be great for the 22 Day Sugar Cleanse where we carrying snacks rich in fat and protein are essential to avoiding convenient sugar bombs.  

4) Allergen friendly: they are not a nut! Hooray! Yes, the benefits of nuts/seeds are well documented, and I do eat them from time to time. It is really important though in my world that I can find nut-free flours to use in baking and recipe development. My fiancée, Kat Hurley, gets all sour and upset when she can’t indulge in my Peanut Butter Cookies, understandably so (she can’t do almond flour). Now, I can make her the chocolate chip cookies (see recipe below) and everyone’s happy! 

5) Tigernut flour is super easy to use. The flour itself doesn’t carry a strong flavor, so its easily masked within the recipe. I also find that it’s light to work with and doesn’t behave like coconut flour, which soaks up all liquid in sight. So I can get that “fluffy” texture that I prefer. In other words, it’s a huge upgrade form the gluten-free flour mixes that always come out feeling so darn dense.

Oh, I almost forget, it’s super high in protein which is great for blood sugar balance! 

Are you thinking what I’m thinking…

Tigernuts may be the new kale, watch out world!

Tigernut Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Makes 12-13 cookies

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup tigernut flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbs Bulletproof Collagen protein powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips or Enjoy Life chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients

• 3/4 cup tahini (can use almond butter) 
• 5 tbs coconut oil, melted
• 1 tbs maple syrup
• 2 tbs ground flax and 6 tbs filtered water, mix and let sit for 10 minutes

Procedure

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. 
2. Line baking tray with parchment paper. 
3. Combine dry ingredients and mix well, make sure to sift this flour so there aren’t any clumps. 
4. Whisk together the wet ingredients and add to the bowl with dry ingredients. 
5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and mix well. 
6. Form into 1 tbs sizes cookies, flatten with your hands and sprinkle salt on top just before putting in the oven. 
7. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and let cool. Enjoy with a cup of dairy free milk. 

Okay, now for the contest. ONE lucky reader will win a 16 oz bag of Tigernuts and a 30% coupon for any item at Organic Gemini’s online store. 

AND one 12oz bag of Tigernuts

Here is what you need to do in order to have a chance at winning these yummy snacks and a 30% coupon from Organic Gemini. 

1) “LIKE” Culinary Farmacy’s Facebook page AND Organic Gemini’s page 

2) Re-post this blog on your Facebook page and tag Culinary Farmacy in the post. You will have to “like” the CF page before you’ll be allowed to tag us in the post. 

BAM! Once all three have been complied, you will be entered into winning these yummy prizes and one step closer to a healthier immune and digestive system. 

Contest expires March 13th 2015 and the winner will be notified via email!  

NOW….GO!