TIGERNUTS: TIGERNUTS PROCESSING

Tigernuts processing. Tigernuts can be processed into various food products.

Tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus) also called yellow nutsedge, earth almonds and ground almonds are round tubers found on the root of a sedge plant. Tigernuts, as the name implies, are thought to be nuts but they are not, they are tubers. Tigernuts, when consumed, has a sweet and nutty taste. Tigernuts are mostly grown in small scale in the northern part of Nigeria. Fresh tigernuts are yellow in color while the dried tigernuts are brown in color.

Tigernuts contains carbohydrate, starch, protein, oil, and fiber. Tigernut is rich in phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, sodium and manganese. It is also a good source of vitamin C and vitamin E.

The following are food products that are derived from tigernuts

• Dried Tigernuts
• Roasted Tigernuts
• Malted Tigernut
• Tigernut flour
• Roasted Tigernut Flour
• Malted Tigernut Flour
• Tigernut Milk
• Tigernut Oil

FRESH, DRIED AND ROASTED TIGERNUT PROCESSING

Clean fresh, dried and roasted tigernuts can be eaten as a snack.  Tigernuts could also be used as a livestock feed.

EQUIPMENT: Bowls, trays, dryer, weighing scale, sealing machine, and a specialized washing machine.

FRESH TIGERNUTS PROCESS FLOW CHART

Sort fresh tigernuts by removing sand, stones, and damaged tigernuts. (Sorting)

Wash sorted tigernuts with clean water to remove sand and dirt’s that sticks to the tigernut. (Washing)

Weigh desired weight into plastic containers or pouches. (Weighing)

Seal and label. (Packaging)

NOTE: Fresh tigernuts is preserved by refrigerating and freezing.

DRIED TIGERNUTS PROCESS FLOW CHART

Remove specks of dirt, stones, bad and damaged tigernuts from fresh tigernuts. (Sorting)

Wash sorted tigernuts with clean water to remove sand and dirt’s that sticks to the tigernut. (Washing)

 Spread thin layers of cleaned tigernuts in the dryer and dry. (Drying)

Allow the dried tigernut to cool (cooling)

Weigh desired weight into plastic containers or pouches. (Weighing)

Seal and label. (Packaging)

NOTE: Dried tigernuts are generally hard and can be rehydrated by soaking before consumption or use.

ROASTED TIGERNUTS PROCESSING FLOW CHART

Remove dirt’s, stones, bad and damaged tigernuts from fresh tigernuts. (Sorting)

Wash sorted tigernuts with clean water to remove sand and dirt. (Washing)

Spread thin layers of cleaned tigernuts in the dryer and dry. (Drying)

Roast dried tigernuts at 150^oC for 3hrs. (Roasting)

Allow the roasted tigernuts to cool (cooling)

Weigh desired weight into plastic containers or pouches. (Weighing)

Seal and label. (Packaging)

Fresh, dried and roasted tigernuts can be sold in supermarkets and to individuals.

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