Spain's Secret for Summer? Ancient Tiger Nut Drink

Looking for a way to cool down? The people of Valencia have had a tried and tested recipe for this for centuries – Horchata de Chufa, a drink that was already known to the ancient Egyptians.

When temperatures exceed 30 degrees and cities turn into hot pans, we look for something more than just cold water with ice. The answer comes from Valencia – Horchata de Chufa , a plant-based drink with unique properties that has helped the inhabitants of Spain survive the summer for centuries.

Horchata de Chufa – Spanish way to beat the heat / Shutterstock

Horchata is a traditional, non-alcoholic drink based on chufa – the tuber of a plant known as tiger nut . Although it is commonly referred to as a “ tiger nut ”, chufa is not a nut. It is a tuber with a subtle, nutty flavour , which the Arabs brought to Spain in the Middle Ages. For over 800 years, it has been grown almost exclusively in the Valencia region and has the status of a PDO – protected geographical indication. It is worth adding that although Horchata gained popularity in Spain, its roots date back to 2400 BC in North Africa.

After harvesting, the tubers are thoroughly cleaned and naturally dried for about 3 months, which helps to concentrate their flavor. Then they are soaked in water, and after softening, they are ground and pressed to obtain a milky white essence . The resulting juice is mixed with cold water and sugar, and often with the addition of lemon or cinnamon. The whole thing is filtered, cooled and ready to serve. Sounds divine!

Chufa nut - the basic ingredient of Horchata de Chufa/ Shutterstock

Chufa is a natural source of fiber, iron, potassium, and antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory effects, supports digestion, lowers bad cholesterol, and has a prebiotic effect. It is also a great option for people on a lactose-free and vegan diet.

Horchata de Chufa looks like milk, but that's just an appearance - it doesn't contain a single gram of dairy. It is light, slightly sweet, with a hint of vanilla , almonds and lemon. It is drunk very cold, most often accompanied by elongated yeast buns called fartons , which perfectly absorb the taste of the drink. There is also a "Cubano" version - with the addition of chocolate ice cream.

Original Horchata de Chufa tastes best in Valencia , but it can be found more and more often in selected delicatessens and online stores. When looking for a good quality product, it is worth paying attention to the PDO mark and the lack of artificial additives.