(Recipe below.)
Sweet and refreshing, Horchata de Chufa is one of Spain's most beloved drinks. This Valencian classic is a frosty shake with a rich, nutty flavor blended with lemon and cinnamon. It is a classic summer treat, served fresh at 'horchaterias' across the region. You can make an authentic horchata de chufa at home using these excellent dried chufas.
Horchata de Chufa is made of ground chufa nuts (actually the roots of the chufa plant) grown in the Valle de Nito in Spain. Our finest dried Valencian chufas are grown by Chufas Bou in Valencia, a leader in quality since 1945. They have a protected designation, D.O. Chufa de Valencia (Denomination of Origin).
La horchata de chufa is a Spanish product (completely different from Mexican horchata, which is made from rice). It is a favorite across Spain, but particularly in Valencia, Murcia and Andalucía.
Chufas (also called tiger nuts) are an edible tuber considered a superfood due to their health benefits and its nutritional properties. Packed with fiber and nutrients, they is touted for digestive and antioxidant benefits.
This package of dried Chufa nuts is enough to make about 4 quarts/liters of Horchata.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 pound (250 gr – 1.5 cups) chufa nuts
- 1 quart (liter) of water
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 tsp grated lemon peel (optional)
- About 1 cup of sugar (try less the first time - you can always add more!)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Soak the chufa nuts in water for 24 hours.
- In a blender, grind the nuts, water, cinnamon, sugar and lemon until you have an even, smooth mixture.
- Let it settle for a half an hour.
- Press the paste through a strainer to obtain fresh horchata.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Finish in the freezer for 20 minutes until slightly slushy.
Makes 1 quart/liter.
