Tigernuts: Nuts that are not really nuts
Tigernuts - also known as chufa or tiger nut - are the nodules of the cypressgrass plant.
In these nodules, the plants stores reserves that ensure their survival in lean times. Therefore, they are so concentrated in many valuable plant nutrients.
In terms of taste, the tigernut can be described as sweet almond with vanilla and coconut flavor.
Effects:
- Tiger nuts and the products thereof, are gluten free and wheat and nut allergic suitable
- Their high fiber content supports the digestive system, helps to a healthy intestine and prevents constipation
- Although they taste sweet, they keep the insulin secretion in the fence by their high fiber content, so they are also very suitable for diabetics
- Their high content of monounsaturated fatty acids has a positive effect on our cholesterol levels from
- The contained omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory and cardiotonic power
- Their fats also have a positive effect on the brain : they strengthen - like nuts - the nerves and promote concentration
- The vitamin E content is equal to that of olive oil. Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant : it slows down aging processes and prevents cancer as well as cardiovascular diseases
- From the perspective of TCM , they are part of the earth element, thus strengthening our middle, spleen and their thermal neutral
Products:
In order to benefit from the best health benefits, you should resort to organic products. These are free of pesticides and are produced without GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms).
There are many different types of tigernuts available:
- Tigernuts nature or peeled
- Erdmandelmehl
- Tigernuts or chips
- tigernuts
- horchata
- Erdmandelmus
Use:
- fresh tigernuts can be eaten raw or roasted with some salt
- dried tigernuts are relatively hard and should be soaked in water for at least 4 hours before consumption or before further processing. Then you can sprinkle it over the salad as a soup dish, in the porridge, or just use it to nibble
- You can use the flour as a nut substitute for baking
- Since tigernuts are gluten-free you have to mix the flour with other binders to use it as a flour substitute
- if you use them for baking you can also reduce the sugar content (due to the natural sweetness of the tigernuts)
- from tigernuts you can make a lactose-free milk. The Horchata de Chufa has a long tradition in Spain and is often served as a refreshing drink
- with a tigernut milk as a base you can also prepare different shakes
- The flakes can be processed in sweet breakfast dishes
Goji berries - The small buckthorn fruits have it all
The small red berries come from China.
In Chinese they are called Gou Qi Zi.
Maybe you know them also under the name "Chinese wolfberry" - this name comes from English language (Wolfberries).
The flavor of Goji's is "sweet" and her thermals are "warm".
They have a strong organ relation to liver and kidney.
Goji berries:
- proliferate the liver blood (therefore, they are good for tired, stressed eyes, for example, in a lot of PC work and they help us to beautiful skin and fortifying brittle fingernails)
- their positive effect on the eyes or on protection against further age-related degeneration of the optic nerve can be traced to the high proportion of carotenoids of the fruits
- strengthen the kidneys essence and the juices of the kidney: this strengthens the bones and by regular consumption, we can prevent premature graying of the hair
- are a true anti-aging agent because of their high antioxidant content
- In addition, the antioxidants lead to increased cell protection which strengthens the immune system and prevents cancer
- Due to their interesting amino acid content, they are especially important for athletes, vegetarians and vegans
Before Using:
- You can mix goji berries in your breakfast porridge or under a compote
- I even cook them with my beef broth. For example, they also find therapeutic use for blood deficiency or juices deficiency
- if you're a smoothie fan you can just mix a few berries with it
- or just in between, to nibble together with a few nuts
- There is even Goji juice to buy or the dried berries in powder form
There is even the opportunity to plant a goji shrub, then you have your own fresh fruit after about 3 years. However, the berries may not taste as sweet as you are used to - depending on how much sun they get from you;)
However, when buying dried berries, be sure to get good quality. Precisely because they are mainly imported from China, the pesticide contamination of the products is sometimes very high for many suppliers.
Buy only organic products.
Be happy and healthy,
All the best!