Tiger nut, also known as yellow nutgrass or chufa, is a plant widely distributed in temperature zones in South Europe. It has three varieties - black, brown, and yellow - and the yellow variety is most common in Nigerian markets due to its larger size, attractive color, and fleshier body. Tiger nut is used as a food directly and to make milk, oil, and flour. Tiger nut milk is a healthy drink high in vitamins C and E, while the oil is used for cooking and textiles due to its ability to form a crust preventing absorption. Tiger nut provides many health benefits and is recommended for conditions like diarrhea, indigestion, and as a heart and sexual stimulant.

2.  Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus var. sativa)
as a plant, its derivatives and benefits
are mainly discussed.

3.  Tiger nut is widely distributed in the
temperature zones within South Europe.
It has many names like “Zulu nut”,
“yellow nutgrass”, “ground almond”,
“chufa” and others. In Nigeria, it is
available in fresh, semi-dried and dried
form in the markets where it is sold locally
and consumed even uncooked.

4.  There are mainly three varieties namely:
black, brown and yellow, and only
yellow and brown are readily available
in the Nigerian markets. The yellow
variety is preferred to all other varieties
because of its inherent properties like its
bigger size, attractive colour and fleshier
body.

5.  Tiger nut is not only used as food directly,
it’s also used to obtain tiger nut milk, oil
and flour.

6.  Tiger nut milk is a healthy drink with many
nutrients. In fact it is a nourishing and
energetic product recommended by
experts to be taken during any season of
the year, especially in dry season when
the sun is hot. It is a rich source of
vitamins C and E.

7.  Tiger nut flour is good for
people who cannot take
gluten in their diets. It also
can be used as a flavoring
agent for ice-cream and
biscuits and also it’s very
good flour for bakery
because of its’ fairly high
natural sugar content.

8.  The oil is golden brown in colour and
has a rich, nutty taste. It’s suitable for
salad making and for cooking at all.
Because of its structure, less fat is
absorbed into the food as it creates
a crust on the surface during
cooking, preventing the oil itself
being absorbed into the product.
 In the textile industry, the oil is used to
waterproof textile fibres. It’s also a
potential source of biodiesel.

9.  To conclude, tiger nut is a cheap and
rich source of minerals, glucose and
vitamins C and E.
 It’s highly recommended for the people
with diarrhoea, indigestion, flatulence
and it is also a good heart and sexual
stimulator. Tiger nut is used in many
countries as a cure, food additive and
stimulator. Eat, drink, inhale this plant
and you will live longer than ever.

10.  Journal article “TIGER NUT: AS A PLANT,
ITS DERIVATIVES AND BENEFITS “
 http://www.ajfand.net/Volume11/No5/B
amishaiye9955.pdf