Tiger nut milk is a sweet, nutty drink, that is the perfect allergy friendly alternative to regular dairy milk and nut, soy, seed and grain plant based alternatives. It’s easy to make at home with just 2 ingredients, so free from inflammatory artificial ingredients that store bought milks often contain.
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Jump To Section:-
- What is tiger nut milk/Horchata De Chufa?
- Benefits of tiger nut milk
- Ingredients
- Equipment needed
- How to make tiger nut milk at home
- Uses
- Recipes using Tigernut milk
- Recipe variations
- Storage
- Diet requirements
- Other drink recipes
- Recipe card
What is tiger nut milk / Horchata De Chufa?
Tiger nut milk, also called tiger nut horchata, chufa milk, Horchata De Chufa in Spain, or Kunu Aya in Nigeria, is a plant based milk alternative, made with base ingredients of tiger nuts and filtered water. Tiger nuts have a misleading name, as they are actually a small root vegetable and not a nut. They’re called tiger nuts due to their outside having stripes and being amber coloured like tigers and them having a sweet nutty flavour and crispy, crunchy texture similar to nuts.
Benefits Of Tiger Nut Milk
- Allergy friendly. Tiger nuts being a root vegetable means they’re free from major allergens (2). They’re naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, grain-free, coconut-free and vegan, paleo, autoimmune protocol and whole30 friendly, making tiger nut milk the perfect allergy friendly alternative to common dairy and non-dairy milk options.
- Low in anti-nutrients. Common plant based milks are made using nuts, seeds, soy or grains like oats. However, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes and grains contain high levels of anti-nutrients which can damage the gut and bind to nutrients from our food, preventing our bodies from absorbing them, potentially leading to deficiencies (3). They’re also common food sensitivities and are excluded on paleo, autoimmune protocol and whole30 diets.
- Quick & Easy. Homemade tiger nut milk requires just 2 ingredients and 5 minutes to make.
- Healthier than store bought. Tiger nuts are a rich source of nutrients, which help support the immune system and improve digestive, heart and brain health, including (1):-
- Resistant starch and fibre, which feeds the good bacteria in your gut and can boost our immune system (80% of our immune system is in out gut).
- Potassium,
- Magnesium,
- Vitamin C,
- Vitamin E and,
- Omega 9 fats.
Store bought tiger nut milks either contain artificial preservatives and emulsifiers, which can increase inflammation, or rice flour, which causes a rapid rise in blood sugar levels and is not suitable for those avoiding grains, like on the autoimmune protocol. Homemade tiger nut milk is made with 2 simple natural ingredients and free from artificial preservative and emulsifiers.
Related post: 20 Healthy Food & Drink Swaps (For Numerous Dietary Requirements)
Ingredients
- Filtered water.
Equipment Needed
How to make tiger nut milk at home
- Soak tiger nuts in a glass bowl filled with filtered water for at least 2 hours to allow them to soften.
- Drain and rinse the tiger nuts, then place in a blender with 750 ml/3 cups of filtered water.
- Blend on high for 3 minutes.
- Strain the milk through a nut milk bag.
- The milk can be used straight away or transferred to a glass milk bottle or mason jar to be stored.
Uses
Tiger nut milk be used in exactly the same way as other milks:–
- Drunk on its own,
- Added to hot drinks, smoothies and smoothies bowls like this Pumpkin Spice Milk & Latte,
- Used for baking like in this Chocolate Pancake Recipe Without Eggs & Sugar,
- Used in oatmeal or cereal, like in these Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit,
- Used to make desserts like this Healthy Golden Milk Panna Cotta With Agar Agar or Carrot Cake Flaxseed Pudding.
Recipes Using Tigernut Milk
Storage
Refrigerator
Tiger nut milk can be stored in a glass milk bottle or mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. As no additives or preservatives are used, the milk will separate as stored, so shake the bottle well before using each time.
Freezer
You can freeze tiger nut milk to extend its shelf life. However, it’s not recommended as, although the milk retains the same sweet nutty flavour, the milk separates and has a different texture and consistency when thawed and defrosted.
If you do want to freeze it, pour the milk into freezer safe glass airtight containers, leaving at least 1 inch gap at the top of the jar as the milk will expand as it freezes. To avoid wastage, divide the milk into smaller amounts and store in separate jars. Alternatively, freezing the milk in ice cube trays is a great option to make refreshing iced lattes in the summer.
Tiger nut milk can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, transfer the milk to the fridge and leave until thawed when the milk has become liquid again. Once thawed, use within 24 hours.
Recipe Variations
Tiger nut milk can be customised and flavoured in numerous different ways to make delicious versions of Horchata drinks, such as:-
- Blending 250 grams/0.5 lbs of fruit, such as strawberries, to make a version of the popular strawberry horchata drink.
- Adding 3 bananas to create a banana horchata.
- Making chocolate banana milk by adding 3 bananas and 2 tablespoons of carob powder.
- Creating a banoffee version by adding 3 bananas and 6 medjool dates.
- Chai spiced version by adding:-
- Pumpkin spice milk by adding:-
- If not following a nut free, seed free, paleo, autoimmune protocol or whole30 diet, you can also replace a portion of the tigernuts with nuts or seeds, however, this will reduce the natural sweetness of the milk. Ensure you use activated and sprouted nuts and seeds that have been soaked and dehydrated to reduce the anti nutrient content, such as:-
Diet requirements
Tiger nut milk is allergy friendly, being:-
- Gluten free
- Wheat free
- Dairy free
- Soy free
- Lactose free
- Nut free
- Seed free
- Grain free
- Oil free
- Refined sugar free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Paleo
- Autoimmune protocol AIP
- Whole30
Other Drink Recipes
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Recipe Card
Tiger Nut Milk Recipe (Horchata De Chufa)
Ingredients
- 1 cup tiger nuts
- 3 cups filtered water plus extra for soaking
Instructions
- Place the tiger nuts in a glass bowl and cover with filtered water. Soak for at least 2 hours or, ideally, overnight.
- Drain and rinse the tiger nuts. Then, place them in a blender with the filtered water.
- Blend on high for 3 minutes.
- Strain the liquid through a nut milk bag.
- Use the milk straight away or transfer to a glass milk bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 days – the milk will separate so shake well before using each time.
I’d never heard of tiger nuts until recently! Thank you for this recipe – it’s a sweet and nutty alternative to other types of milk!
You’re welcome, thank you for your comment Emily. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This turned out AMAZING! I love making my own plant based milks and it was my first time trying it with tiger nuts. It has a naturally sweet flavor so tastes great on its own!
Thank you so much Anaiah, I really appreciate your comment. I’m so glad it turned out well and you enjoyed it! I love drinking tiger nut milk on its own too!
Wow! This is such a simple recipe and seems so incredibly beneficial to our bodies. Love it!
Thank you Andrea, I appreciate your comment 🙂 Tiger nuts are definitely great for our health. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
What a fabulous and easy recipe. I always wanted to use tigernuts and this is the perfect way to use them
Thank you so much Daniela, I really appreciate this 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the tiger nut milk, it’s my favourite way to use them too!
I don’t like buying store bought milks because of all the additives. This homemade tiger nut milk was great and simple to prepare. Perfect for my homemade granola!
Thank you so much Joshua, I really appreciate your comment! Like you, I never buy store bought milks either to avoid artificial ingredients. Making your own at home is so much healthier. I’m so glad you enjoyed the milk!
You’ve taken me straight back to Spain in my youth. I only ever went there the once, but I fell in love with horchata de chufa. My husband grows chufas , but he never has quite enough for me to make tiger milk. I keep hoping though. Maybe this year!
I’m so glad it brought back happy memories for you Choclette! I love tiger nut milk too, I enjoy drinking it on it’s own. I’m so jealous of your husband growing them, I’d love to be able to do that. I hope he grows enough for you to make homemade tiger nut milk soon! They’re so delicious as a snack on their own though!
Harvest time is fast approaching, so I’m crossing fingers. And you’re right, it’s been so long since I tried one, I’d forgotten they’re good just on their own.
I love this simple, allergy-friendly tiger nut milk! It’s full of flavor, easy to prepare, and tastes really good. Horchata de chufa is amazing dairy-free milk, much healthier than cow milk, and also cruelty-free! Delicious plant-based milk that is much better than any store-bought milk.
Thank you so much Marinela! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this tiger nut milk. I completely agree with you, it’s by far my favourite plant based milk and so much healthier than store bought ones.
I drunk horchata many times in Spain, but I never knew how it’s made and from what ingredients. Thank you for this recipe. It’s great alternative for soy or almond milk.
You’re welcome, thanks for getting in touch Anna. I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the tiger nut milk – it really is the perfect milk alternative.
Yes, tiger nuts are a great allergy friendly and plant based alternative. Loving this easy recipe and the wonderful information you provided.
Thank you very much Ana, I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the milk. It really is the perfect allergen friendly alternative.