Tiger Nut Chufa [Cyperus esculentus var. sativus]

The perennial tiger nut 'Chufa' is a delicacy among vegetables and medicinal plants. The roots can be used like almonds and have an incomparably sweet, nutty taste. Versatile and very easy to cultivate. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the roots.

 Description 
The tiger nut 'Chufa' is a perennial vegetable and medicinal plant from Africa with a long tradition. In Egypt it is one of the oldest cultivated plants and was already being cultivated and used as food 6,000 years ago. The robust plants develop long, 1cm wide, light green and triangular stalks. The rhizomes, which are formed on thin underground runners, have a thin skin and a white core, are rich in valuable oils and taste incomparably pleasantly sweet and nutty when raw or roasted. A delicacy! In Ayurvedic medicine the plant is also used for various digestive indications. A high-quality cooking and frying oil can also be obtained and when roasted the rhizomes can be used as fish bait. Suitable for phytoremediation of soils. Suitable for allergy sufferers, lactose and gluten free. Rhizomes can be stored for years.

 General information 
Plant family: Cyperaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 200 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 5°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 4.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-3 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 14-20 °C
Germination time: 10-60 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 9-10 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Barley, Marigold, Borage, Pumpkin
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend sowing directly from February to June. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend sowing directly from March to May. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
For pre-cultivation, sow 1 rhizome per pot and allow the rhizomes to germinate at warm temperatures. Once the second pair of leaves has formed, the seedlings can be planted in a large 50l container or placed directly in the bed.
Tiger nut 'Chufa' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Rhizomes germinate irregularly over a period of 8 weeks. Resistant to water fluctuations, a constantly moist soil promotes yield. Can also thrive in windy locations. The rhizomes are winter hardy in the soil to at least -10°C. Tigernut is a neophyte, spreads quickly and is a so-called hyperaccumulator: This means that the plants store heavy metals such as lead and cadmium in their tissue. As a result, this species is also used for the so-called phytoremediation of soils. For this reason, for example, mining waste dumps contaminated with heavy metals are planted with tigernuts in order to remove the harmful metal ions. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, an additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or rhizomes.

 Plant care 
No care or fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Cyperus esculentus var. sativus
English names: Tiger nut
German names: Erdmandel, Tigernuss
Portuguese names: Noz de tigre
Spanish names: Chufa, la chufa
French names: Souchet, Noix tigrée

 Origin 
Country: Portugal