Chufa seeds «Largetta»

Chufa, edible or ground almond «Largetta» / Cyperus esculentus

Herbaceous plant, known since epic times under the name of sat. The positive features of the culture include simple agricultural technology, the practical absence of pests, resistance to weeds, unpretentiousness to the soil, high yield (up to 400 kg per hundred square meters), ease of storage.

The above-ground part of the chufa in the form of bright green grass up to 70 cm high decorates the path, flower bed or lawn in front of the house. Under the ground, by the end of September, up to 1000 pieces of nodules appear in each bush, usually called "nuts", since after drying they taste like hazelnuts, hazelnuts or sweet almonds.

Chufa nodules are edible, they contain 17-25% fat, about 20% starch, up to 4% protein and up to 28% sugar[3] and have a characteristic, slightly sweet, nutty flavor.

They are eaten both raw and fried. Since the nodules are quite hard, it is recommended to soak them in water before use. Crushed nodules are added to confectionery products, halva is made from them. In Spain, they are used to prepare a sweet soft drink - horchata. Roasted ground nodules are used as a substitute for coffee.

The oil from the nodules of chufa is close to olive in chemical composition. It is non-drying, thickens when oxidized, golden in color and has a pleasant taste. It is used in the manufacture of confectionery and as table oil. It is also used in the manufacture of high quality soaps.

Chufa greenery is quite decorative, it can be grown in flower beds or as a border plant.
The nodules remaining in the soil freeze out. Such a simple growing scheme will suit most amateur gardeners in terms of time indicators of labor costs, but not in terms of yield. To obtain 20-30 kg of products from 10-15 plants, it is necessary to apply the seedling method, increase the distance between the holes, carry out several hillings, fertilize properly and pour warm water twice a summer.

Harvesting is carried out in late September-early October. Store, after drying, in normal household conditions.
Typical growing mistakes: overcrowded planting, abundant watering, shady area, premature harvesting. In such cases, the nodules are wrinkled and very hard.

In cooking, chufa is used in the same way as any nuts. In addition, good baking is obtained by adding ground nodules to flour (20-25%). Everyone likes chufa coffee.
 
Used by carp anglers as bait.

The medicinal properties of the plant are also remarkable. Nodules, rhizomes and leaves are used for medicinal purposes.

• A weekly five percent tincture on vodka of rhizomes and leaves surpasses ginseng in some parameters.
• Leaf tea and nuts bind and remove a full range of radionuclides from the body.
• Pillows filled with herbs and rhizomes induce restful sleep.
• A decoction of rhizomes mixed with red peony root is drunk with urethritis.
• For toothaches, rinse your mouth with a decoction of rhizomes, and rub the gums with powder from them.

Other names: chuffa, khufa, tiger nut.