Chufa peanut: benefits and harms

Earth almonds - a plant from the sedge family. It is believed that it was known to mankind even in ancient times. And in the old days it was distributed throughout Europe. In Russia, peasants also cultivated edible sate - that is how this plant is called in Russian. Although today the second version of the name adopted in Spain is better known - chufa.

How it looks and where it grows

Outwardly, the chufa resembles an ordinary sedge, like the one that grows on swampy soil. It differs in bright green leaves, rather dense and rigid, which can grow up to half a meter in length. The chufa bush itself can reach a height of 30–90 cm. Its stem is straight and thin, with a trihedral cross-section. The leaves are collected in bundles 1 cm wide. During flowering, umbellate inflorescences appear on it, which are pollinated by the wind.

Chufa bush is undemanding to the composition of the soil and generally unpretentious, although it loves sunny places and does not tolerate high humidity. It differs by a developed root system, from which many shoots, quite thin, begin to branch.

Small tubers growing on these shoots are eaten. In size, they are no more than nuts, and in shape, taste and even in their aroma resemble almonds. This impression is enhanced by their white, sweetish, hard and crisp flesh, as well as the skin of a yellowish or dark brown color, covered with several transverse grooves (sometimes it, however, is pinkish, but relatively rare). Hence another name for the plant - earthen almonds.

Chufa can produce a fairly large crop. There are cases when, from one bush, plants collected up to 400 pieces of such oval-shaped nuts - 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. Their skin is inseparable from the pulp and is quite tough.

In the wild, the distribution area of ​​earthen almonds is quite wide. Chufu is traditionally cultivated on almost the entire Mediterranean coast of Europe and in North Africa. There are historical studies that confirm that earthen almonds were popular in ancient Egypt 4,000 years ago. In Europe, it began to be cultivated in Italy and in Spain, then it spread to other countries. In Russia, earthen almonds appeared only 300 years ago. At first it was called a winter hut, and only then it received the name of edible salty. Unfortunately, after the revolution, this plant was forgotten for a long time, although it is actually very useful and nutritious tubers.

These "nuts" can be eaten even in raw form, although in European cuisine there are enough recipes with fried and baked nodules. They also make various drinks. And the oil contained in them is widely used in cosmetology.

Composition and calorie content

Chufa is an oily earthen tuber. Its energy value is quite high: about 609 kcal per 100 g of product. But he has an excellent composition, which makes earthen almonds so useful for health. So, in 100 g of the product contains only 13 g of carbohydrates, almost 19 g of protein and 54 g of fat. Moreover, these are generally healthy fats, although, of course, you should not abuse them.

But earthen almonds contain:

1. Vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties and is very beneficial for vision.
2. B vitamins that accelerate metabolic processes and support the functioning of the nervous system.
3. Vitamin C, which is also considered an antioxidant, however, has not only protective and antioxidant properties, but also the ability to improve the state of vascular walls.
4. A rich set of macro- and microelements, including zinc with its anti-inflammatory properties, iodine, iron and phosphorus necessary for the endocrine system, which improve cognitive functions, as well as copper, sodium, zinc, etc.

Nodules contain potassium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart muscle, and calcium, which strengthens bones. Therefore, peanuts are recommended for older people - for the prevention of osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.

The tubers of peanuts also contain essential amino acids, starch and, depending on the variety, 20–27% oil, which is very close to olive in its properties.

What is useful chuf peanut

General benefit

The beneficial properties of earthen almonds are very diverse. Moreover, it is widely used not only in traditional medicine, but also in pharmacology. Earth almonds have the following properties:

1. Supports the body in good shape.
2. Improves the functioning of all muscles.
3. Helps regulate the level of triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol in the body, which helps prevent various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and stroke.
4. Reduces the risk of blood clots.
5. Improves cognitive abilities and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the central nervous system as a whole.
6. It normalizes metabolic processes and removes toxins from the body.
7. Regulates blood glucose levels and is therefore considered very useful for people with diabetes.

In fact, each tuber of earthen almonds is a tiny nutlet that contains absolutely everything that the human body needs for normal functioning.

For women

For ladies, earthen almonds are useful in that they provide the body with calcium during menopause, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of its constituent components prevent the development of diseases of the pelvic organs.

For men

For representatives of the stronger sex, this plant is useful in that it contains antioxidants and zinc, that is, components that have anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the plant an excellent prophylactic of prostate diseases.

During pregnancy

It is believed that you can use earthen almonds even during pregnancy, because it contains useful fatty acids, as well as many vitamins and minerals. But you need to remember that this is a very high-calorie product, and you can use it only in a small amount, since a strong weight gain for future mothers is contraindicated.

When breastfeeding

Chufa does not contain harmful substances that could pass into breast milk and somehow affect the health of the baby. At the same time, she has a lot of essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals that help a young mother to get in shape faster. Therefore, there is no direct ban on the use of earthen almonds. But you need to be careful, because any new product in a child can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, you need to keep a food diary and write down the amount of earthen almonds that are included in the daily diet, and then check the child’s reaction and note everything unusual - increased irritability, irritation on the skin.

For kids

It is believed that earthen almonds are very useful for children, because they contain all the substances they need. It is clear that giving babies to young children is not worth it, because their digestive tract is not yet ready for such products - just like for ordinary nuts.So in a small amount they can be given only to children older than 3 years, but only in the absence of individual sensitivity and allergic reactions.

When losing weight

Ground almond diet is not a good idea, as it is a fairly high-calorie product. But adding a small amount of chufa to the diet allows you to normalize blood sugar and disperse the metabolism.

Peanuts are added to cottage cheese, yogurt, vegetable and fruit salads - but not more than 20-30 g per day. Then it will be an excellent snack, which will help to supply the body with all the proteins and vitamins, even with a strict diet.

In addition, it is believed that the beneficial substances contained in earthen almonds are better absorbed if taken in the form of milk. Such a drink can be a great breakfast for those on a diet. To prepare this healing milk, you need to take tubers of earthen almonds and purified water in a ratio of 1: 4. The tool is insisted for a day, after which it is filtered, and the nodules of earthen almonds are rubbed through a fine sieve. After that, the resulting mass is combined with the drained liquid and mixed to obtain a puree. If desired, add a spoonful of honey to it. You can drink a cup of such milk for breakfast to start the day with an influx of energy.

The benefits of earthen almond oil

Chufa oil is a product that is produced by cold pressing, which allows you to save the maximum possible amount of nutrients. If everything was done according to the rules, then a product that meets high modern requirements will look like a golden yellow translucent liquid with a pleasant smell of almond nuts.

By its properties, this oil is very close to olive. It contains oleic acid, which belongs to the group of polyunsaturated fats and has the ability to protect the body from the negative effects of the external environment. If you use it regularly, it will lower the level of "bad" cholesterol and replace it with "good", which will have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular activity and brain function.

Thus, earthen almond oil has the following properties:

• normalization of cardiac activity and prevention of thrombosis;
• improving the absorption of calcium in bone tissue;
• maintaining visual acuity (this is due to the high content of linoleic acid);
• strengthening immunity;
• normalization of hormonal balance;
• stress resistance increase;
• improvement of digestive processes.

And to get this effect, it’s enough to consume only 10 g of oil per day, slightly less than a tablespoon.

The high content of vitamin E strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on the genital organs. In addition, it has a unique ability to replace any other vitamins, the deficiency of which is observed in the body.

In cosmetology, chufa oil is widely used to increase skin elasticity, protect it from dehydration, treat cracks and inflammatory processes, lighten and saturate cells with oxygen. It is also believed that it helps to remove the manifestations of eczema, psoriasis, various types of dermatitis. In the beauty industry, it is used to strengthen hair and nails. All this is due to an unusual combination of two factors - a high content of oleic acid and low acidity of the product as a whole. This oil does not dry for a long time, so it is added to expensive face creams, soaps, etc.

To heal cracks, you just need to apply a little oil to the affected area and leave it to absorb itself. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.

To nourish the skin, it is recommended to apply a small amount of oil under the eyes for half an hour. Then blot off its remains with a paper towel.Also, based on it, you can make a mask with the addition of jojoba and neroli oils. The latter are taken in small quantities, literally 3-6 drops per 1 tbsp. a spoonful of ground almond oil. All this is mixed, applied to the skin of the face with massage movements, each line is worked out several times.

Chufa oil is also used in cooking. It is good because it does not change its properties during heat treatment. So it can be used for frying dishes.

Chuf Walnut Application

Earthen almonds are used in cooking, and in nutrition, and in cosmetology - today traditional options are increasingly combined with an innovative approach.

In cooking

The use of chufa in cooking is surprisingly diverse. We have already mentioned oil, which can be an excellent (and cheaper) substitute for olive.

In addition, from a pre-roasted, and then ground in a blender and coffee grinder tubers of earthen almonds prepare a drink very similar to cocoa. And if the ground tubers are re-roasted or baked in the oven until chocolate color, and then boiled in boiling water, you will get a useful and aromatic coffee substitute.

Chufu is often added to baked goods, sweets, chocolate, halva to give these products a nutty flavor and almond flavor. Salads and cakes crush her to make them tastier and more nutritious. Often earthen almonds are placed in the second courses, as it can be fried, steamed, stewed without prejudice to taste and useful properties.

Nutritionists often advise to use the tubers of this plant in its raw form, because it helps to establish digestion faster. At the same time, it is not necessary to clean the skin, it is quite simple to wash them properly with running water. Dried earthen almonds are often advised to grind into flour. Then it can be added to confectionery. Theoretically, it can replace flour, but in practice, due to the fact that it does not contain gluten, such baking can lose its shape. Therefore, you need to add some amount of semolina or wheat flour to flour from earthen almonds. This helps make the dough more fit and airy.

Below are some popular recipes:

1. Homemade halva made from earthen almonds. You need to take 1 cup of dried chufa tubers, 2/3 cup of premium flour and sugar, 1/3 cup of low-fat milk, 3 tbsp. tablespoons of olive or sunflower oil. Fry the nodules first in a frying pan, then grind them in a blender or coffee grinder. Meanwhile, fry the flour a little too, then mix it with ground chufa, add vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon if desired. All this must be brought to a boil and kept on low heat for three minutes. After the mixture cools down a bit, it is necessary to form briquettes from it - for this you can use molds.
2. Ground almond coffee. For him, you must first calcify the noodles of the chufa in the oven, heating it to a temperature of 150 degrees, not more. The whole procedure takes 10-15 minutes, but the vegetable raw materials must be constantly stirred. Then you should wait until it cools down and grind it into powder in a coffee grinder. Brew the product in the same way as regular coffee - 1 teaspoon of a nut in a glass of boiling water.
3. “Peanut butter” can be used in the same way as peanut butter. But only it will be a slightly more complicated dessert. To prepare it, you need to take 50 g of dry "nuts" and grind them in a coffee grinder or blender to a state of flour. To them add 100 g of soft butter, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of icing sugar and the same amount of cocoa powder and mix everything. Such a paste can be used as a filling for various pastries. But if you spread it on crackers or biscuits, it will also be very tasty.
4. In the Mediterranean countries from earthen almonds prepare a refreshing drink orshad. To do this, you need 250 g of such nuts per 1 liter of water and 5 tbsp. tablespoons of sugar. Also, for a pleasant taste and aroma, it is worth adding lemon zest and cinnamon. Chufu should first be soaked overnight. In the morning, put the nuts in a colander, let the water drain, put the nodules themselves in the blender bowl, add a glass of purified water and grind the nuts into a homogeneous mass. This will be the basis of the drink, which must be poured into a separate container, add the remaining water and infuse for 3 hours. After this, it is recommended to strain the infusion through a fine sieve or gauze folded into several layers, add sugar, zest and cinnamon, and even a couple of ice cubes in the heat.

In medicine

In dietetics, this product is included in the diet of those who suffer from celiac disease, that is, gluten intolerance. At the same time, the tubers of the plant possess not only high calorie content, but also high nutritional value, so that they will be an alternative to those cereals, most of which just contain gluten. It is also believed that earthen almonds energizes the body, improves mood, has a beneficial effect on brain function, improves immunity and physical endurance.

In folk medicine, chufa is used as follows:

1. Fresh nodules are eaten in small quantities three times a day.
2. Dry grass plants stuff pillows to get rid of insomnia.
3. A decoction of earthen almonds (1 tbsp.spoon of dried leaves per glass of boiling water) is an excellent sedative. It is believed that it helps with insomnia and toothache.
4. Infusion of leaves (the same proportion - 1 tbsp.spoon in a glass of boiling water, you just need to leave to infuse for 30 minutes) is used as a general strengthening agent and to increase immunity.
5. Raw nodules help cleanse the body of toxins and establish digestion.
6. Dried nodule powder treats bleeding and gum disease.
7. The powder is also taken for diabetes in order to lower glucose. Dosage - 60 mg of powder per kilogram of body weight.
8. A decoction of earthen almonds with orange peel helps to treat urethritis and the associated painful urination.
9. Decoction baths help treat gynecological diseases.

The most effective means is alcohol tincture (1 tbsp.spoon of raw materials per 0.25 liters of vodka), which is credited with a literally instant result. This tincture is useful for infectious diseases, can relieve inflammation.

Interestingly, in ancient times it was believed that earthen almonds scare away evil spirits from the house. More modern urban legends claim that chufa improves the energy of the place. But these are just beautiful tales, but the folk remedies described above have been tested by practice, and their properties are confirmed by scientific research.

Harm and contraindications

In principle, earthen almonds are so useful that they have virtually no contraindications. However, people who are prone to fullness should use it with caution, since this is a very high-calorie product. In addition, due to the high content of fatty acids, it is not worth it to use in acute forms of liver disease.

How to grow peanuts

Chufa is a very unpretentious plant. With moderately moist soil and the absence of heat, you can count on an excellent crop. It even seems like a paradox why a plant from Africa does not like heat, but in fact, the optimum temperature for it is up to + 22–23 ° C.

It should be remembered that the vegetation period of a plant is long, on average it is 150-180 days, so it is best to grow earthen almonds from seedlings, and transplant into the soil only at the end of May.

Caring for earthen almonds is not difficult. Water it only in a drought to avoid root decay.Top dressing should be carried out no more than 2-3 times per summer, since there is a risk of getting a very overgrown green mass with a small number of tubers.

The advantages of this plant are also that it is not only edible, but also very decorative. If you plant such bushes in a row, you can form a beautiful bright green border. Today, this plant is generally widely used in landscape design.

How to choose and store

Today it is not necessary to grow earthen almonds in your garden. You can simply buy it in one of the online stores or try to find it in a large supermarket. Chufu is also sold in garden centers, but mainly as a planting material. So it’s better to look for just ripe fruits. They should be sufficiently dense, elastic, have a rounded shape and skin without damage.

Earthen almonds can be grown independently. In this case, the tubers need to be collected at the end of September. A sure sign that it is time to do this is the yellowing of the leaves and their drying. No need to rush, the later harvesting begins, the better the nodules have time to ripen, the more nutrients will accumulate in them. But you can’t pull with it. Harvest in dry weather, so do it before rains and frosts.

Tubers of earthen almonds are pulled out along with the roots, cleaned of adhering dirt, laid on a metal mesh and watered with water to wash away the rest of the earth. After this, the chufu is left to dry, but not in the sun, but under a canopy - this is the only way to provide these tubers with a sufficiently long shelf life.

Dried earthen almonds are stored in the basement, but they only make sure that there is normal humidity and that rodents do not damage it. You can store a certain number of tubers in the kitchen or in the utility room, protected from sunlight. Keep the crop should be in a cardboard box or plywood box. But even under all conditions, it will not be stored for more than two years.

Interesting Facts

Scientists have found that earthen almonds were known to human ancestors about 2 million years ago. These nodules were found during excavations of Egyptian tombs. Chufa was grown in Sudan and Morocco. Arabs brought this culture to Europe during the period of Moorish rule.

Photo of Chuf Groundnut