Why Nigerians love eating Tiger nut ‘Ofio’ (Number six is unbelievable)

Cyperus esculentus also called tiger nut, is a crop of the sedge family widespread across much of the world.

It is found in most of the Western Hemisphere, as well as Southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent

Growing in Nigeria as a young boy Tiger nuts, popularly known as ‘Ofio’ was my favourite. I remember how I poured lots of it in my pocket, even my school uniform pocket (Lol), never mind me, I just enjoyed its creamy taste.

I so much loved the dry Ofio than the fresh one. Though both the dry and the fresh taste good in the mouth but personally, I preferred the dry ones.

Back in those times, the Hausa sellers of ‘Ofio’ became my best friend as I always searched for them like a hunter searching for bush meat.

With ‘Ofio’ in my pocket, you could send me any errands and would gladly go without grumbling.

It is not news that Nigerians love eating Tiger nuts ‘Ofio’ most especially for its taste as it’s health benefits cannot be overlooked.

Tiger nuts are highly appreciated by both the young and the old irrespective of tribe

Apart from its creamy taste below are other reasons why Nigerians love eating Tiger nuts (Ofio):

1. Tiger nuts are rich in Vitamins E and C which helps in protecting the eyes and heart. It also strengthens the immune system; improves the function of the eyes and lungs, and helps the body wounds to heal faster. it also keeps your cardiovascular system healthy by reducing the amount of harmful buildup on the walls of your arteries.

2. Nigerians need more energy to carry out their daily task irrespective of sex or age. Tiger nuts are highly rich in energy (starch, fat, sugar, and protein), minerals (mainly phosphorus and potassium).

3. Since Tiger nuts are more of tuber crop than nuts, the oil of the tuber contains 20% saturated and 80% unsaturated fatty acids making it very healthy for consumption.

4. The skin of Tiger nuts which are often thrown away as chaff after consumption contains most of the fibre content. According to research, it contains 59.71 g/100g, composed mainly of insoluble dietary fibre (99.8%).

5. Another benefit of Tiger nuts is that it contains twice the quantity of starch in potatoes.

6. Tiger nuts can also be used as flour in your favourite baking recipes or to pump up the fibre content of garri and pounded yam. All you need to do is to dry the chaff and mill it into flour.

Hmmm… how amazing is the Tiger nut