Cyperus esculentus (Chufa Sedge, Yellow Nutsedge, Tigernut Sedge, Earthalmond) is a species of sedge native to warm temperate to subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is an annual or perennial plant, growing to 90 cm tall, with solitary stems growing from a tuber. The stems are triangular in section, and bear slender leaves 3-10 mm wide. The flowers of the plant are distinctive, with a cluster of flat oval seeds surrounded by four hanging leaf-like bracts positioned 90 degrees from each other. The plant foliage is very tough and fibrous, and is often mistaken for a grass.

History

Zohary and Hopf consider this tuber “ranks among the oldest cultivated plants in Ancient Egypt.” Although noting that “Chufa was no doubt an important food element in ancient Egypt during dynastic times, its cultivation in ancient times seems to have remained (totally or almost totally) an Egyptian specialty.” They were used to make cakes in ancient Egypt. Presently, they are cultivated mainly, at least for extended and common commercial purposes, in Spain, where they were introduced by Arabs, almost exclusively in the Valencia region. Tiger nuts are also grown in Ghana.

 Use as food

The tubers are edible, with a slightly sweet, nutty flavour. They are quite hard and are generally soaked in water before they can be eaten. They are sometimes known by their Spanish name, “chufa”.

Tigernuts have excellent nutritional qualities with a fat composition similar to olives and a rich mineral content, especially phosphorus and potassium. Tigernuts are also gluten- and cholesterol-free, and have a very low sodium content. The oil of the tuber was found to contain 18% saturated (palmitic acid and stearic acid) and 82% unsaturated (oleic acid and linoleic acid) fatty acids.

According to the Consejo Regulador de Chufa de Valencia (Regulating Council for Valencia’s Tigernuts), the nutritional composition/100 ml of a classical Horchata de Chufas, or Orxata de Xufes in Valencian language, is as follows: energy content around 66 kcal, proteins around 0.5 g, carbohydrates over 10 g with starch at least 1.9 g, fats at least 2 g.

It can replace milk in the diet of people intolerant to lactose. Also good for people with nut allergies! It is a seed.

Buy in ground up and use it for your smoothies, cakes, etc. So yummy!!

This time I want to introduce the stinging nettle…which is a wonderful plant, too…and very nutritious food that is easily digested. It is high in minerals (especially iron) and vitamins (especially A and C).

Only use young leaves (older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys).  Old leaves can be laxative.

It is antiasthmatic; antidandruff; astringent; diuretic; calactogogue; haemostatic; hypoglycaemic; stings; tonic. All around a very good plant.

When picking it watch the video… Even if it stings you it will go away soon and is also used for arthritis. So, it only helps ;).

It is also good for your garden (use the soak water).

…even if they sting!

I will give you more information and pictures soon…

I am sorry for the quality of the movie. The next ones will be better. Hang in…the other movies will be uploaded soon, too! Please let me know what you think. I am constantly looking for ways to make it better for you.

More about nettle and co. soon…

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I want to introduce you to one of the most common wild edibles: Dandelion!

It is found around the world. In Texas or other dry climates they might be smaller but still as good!

Leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They are higher in beta carotene than carrots. Iron and calcium is higher than spinach…and it’s high in vitamin C.

You can eat the leaves and flower. The leaves are bitter and increase bitterness the older they are or depending on the soil they grow in. The flower is rather sweet. You can use both in salads or smoothies! Yummy!

It is also a very healing plant especially for the liver…but other organs, too. All wild edibles are healing!  

Happy picking!

Here are some updates about the latest walk! It were two wonderful groups of about 40 people of all ages that came together to learn more about wild edibles! We’ve had lots of fun and learned at the same time :). But read for yourself what some said:

“Angelina 11yr old- I thought it was a wonderful experience. I loved learning a bunch of new foods to eat in the wild! My favorite food was the thorny thistle. I learned to peel the thorns off and they poked me a lot. But after all the poking it tasted wonderful. Iwould love to come back again! Keep sharing your knowledge! “ 

 “I thoroughly enjoyed spending time immersed in nature learning about all the good stuff to eat we are continuously provided with! I am grateful Sonja was available and happy to share all her knowledge.”

“We enjoyed learning and eating wild edibles with everyone, Sonja is a true inspiration and gift to mother nature and our planet, thank you.” 

“I now feel confident that if ever I was stranded in a park in Plano I would survive! I learned lots of valuable information and ate some tasty wild food, another raw food success experience!”

For more pictures please go here!

Thank you all for coming! Keep eating wild greens!!!