Tiger nuts, which are edible tubers found at the root of sedge plants, resemble small potatoes but are light yellow inside, sweet in flavor, and fiber-rich. They serve as a natural and nutritious snack option. Packed with nutrients, tiger nuts are high in fiber, vitamin E, and a range of minerals, making them a vital component of numerous healthy diets. These nuts can be consumed raw, baked, transformed into flour, or extracted into oil. The resulting oil boasts a distinctive aroma and significant nutritional benefits, making it suitable for cooking and as a dietary supplement. Moreover, due to their natural sweetness and crunchy texture, tiger nuts are commonly incorporated into various traditional candies and desserts. Recently, their nutritional value and versatile uses have led to a surge in popularity amid the increasing demand for health foods.
1. Contains unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and multiple amino acids, catering to comprehensive nutritional needs.
2. Abundant in calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins, and dietary fiber, promoting overall health.
3. Oil yield can reach up to 30-40%, indicating high processing and utilization value.
4. Versatile consumption options: can be eaten raw, stir-fried, or fried; boasts a sweet and delightful taste.
5. The residual cake from oil extraction is naturally sweet and fragrant, serving as premium raw material for baking pastries and brewing soy sauce, vinegar, and wine.
6. The leftover residue provides high-quality livestock feed and can be utilized throughout the entire industrial chain.
1. Oil crops: Tiger nut seeds provide a high oil content suitable for extracting quality edible oil, beneficial for cooking and the food industry. The oil produced is akin to olive oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, promoting health.
2. Food Ingredients: Tiger nuts can be consumed directly or processed into powder for various culinary applications such as bread, pastries, biscuits, and plant-based milk due to their unique taste and nutritional properties.
3. Animal feed: The rich nutritional profile of tiger nuts makes them ideal for use as animal feed, providing high energy and protein to enhance feeding efficiency.
4. Healthcare: Due to their high fiber content and various other nutrients, tiger nuts are utilized in producing health products that aid digestion and support cardiovascular health.