Tigernuts

Tigernuts

Highly nutritious, gluten, dairy and nut free. Move aside kale, Tigernuts, the ancient superfood enjoyed by our paleo ancestors, are making a comeback.

Causing a stir in health food communities around the globe, Tigernuts are not nuts, but tiny tubers (root vegetable). Originally cultivated in Northern Africa, the chewy, slightly sweet slightly coco-nutty Tigernuts are one of the world's oldest sources of nutrition. In fact, a recent study by Oxford University indicates that Tigernuts made up around 80% of Nutcracker Man's diet between 2.4 and 1.4 million years ago.

Rich in magnesium, iron and vitamins E and C, Tigernuts have long been used as a food source and as an ingredient in traditional medicines of early civilizations. One of the earliest domesticated crops, they have even been found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs, along with an ancient recipe for a dessert made of ground Tigernuts and honey, roasted with a little fat.

Full of fibre, Tigernuts are the #1 natural source of resistant starch, a prebiotic starch that acts as food for the good bacteria in the intestine. This high resistant starch content helps maintain healthy gut function, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar spikes to keep you feeling sated, longer.

In addition to being low in allergens and high in fibre, Tigernuts are full of good fats, primarily oleic acid, the good fat found in olive oil and avocado. In fact, the composition of Tigernut Oil is almost identical in composition to olive oil.

With such an impressive résumé there is little wondering why Tigernuts are causing a buzz in health food and paleo communities around the world. Aussies now have access to these nutrient dense little tubers for the first time, available through the Terra Firma Foods online store and through selected health food stores and specialty grocers.

Review: Slightly starchy in texture, Tigernuts are sweet with a pleasent taste and a whole range of health benefits.  Tigernuts are also gluten free.