Horchata de Chufa
Experience the authentic taste of Valencia with this traditional Horchata de Chufa, a subtly sweet and incredibly refreshing dairy-free beverage. Made from earthy tiger nuts, it offers a unique nutty flavor with hints of cinnamon and lemon, perfect for cooling down on a warm day or as a light, satisfying treat.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 14 hr 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 135 kcal
Allergen information: may contain nuts. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
- 250 gtiger nut, dried
- 1,000 mlwater
- 50 gsugar
- 1 pcscinnamon stick(optional)
- 0.5 tsplemon zest(optional)
Equipment
2× Large bowl · High-speed blender · Fine-mesh sieve · Nut milk bag (optional) · Pitcher or large container
The method
Step by step
- 1
Measure out the tiger nuts and place them in a large bowl.
About 1 min
- 2
Rinse the tiger nuts thoroughly under cold running water, agitating them gently to remove any debris.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: This initial rinse helps clean the nuts and prepares them for soaking.
- 3
Cover the rinsed tiger nuts with at least 4 cups (1 liter) of fresh, cold water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Tiger nuts will expand significantly during soaking, so use ample water to prevent them from drying out.
- 4
Soak the tiger nuts for a minimum of 12 hours, or ideally overnight, at room temperature.
About 8 hr
Cook’s note: For optimal results and to prevent fermentation, change the soaking water every 4-6 hours, especially in warmer climates.
- 5
After soaking, drain the tiger nuts completely and rinse them once more under cold running water.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: A final rinse removes any residual starchiness and ensures a clean flavor.
- 6
Transfer the soaked tiger nuts to a high-speed blender.
About 1 min
- 7
Add 1000 ml (4 cups) of fresh cold water and the granulated sugar to the blender with the tiger nuts.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Adjust the sugar quantity to your preference; traditional horchata is subtly sweet.
- 8
Blend the mixture on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until it becomes very smooth, creamy, and milky in appearance.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Blending for a longer duration ensures maximum flavor extraction and a richer, creamier horchata.
- 9
Position a fine-mesh sieve or a nut milk bag over a large bowl or pitcher.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Using a nut milk bag will yield a smoother horchata with less pulp.
- 10
Carefully pour the blended tiger nut mixture through the sieve or into the nut milk bag.
About 2 min
- 11
If using a nut milk bag, gather the top and firmly squeeze to extract all the liquid into the bowl.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Pressing out every last drop ensures you get the most flavor and volume from your tiger nuts. The remaining pulp can be discarded or composted.
- 12
Stir the cinnamon stick and lemon zest into the strained horchata.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: These aromatics infuse the horchata with a delightful, subtle fragrance and flavor.
- 13
Cover the bowl or pitcher and chill the horchata in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly cold.
About 2 hr
Cook’s note: Horchata is traditionally served ice-cold, which enhances its refreshing qualities.
- 14
Before serving, remove the cinnamon stick and lemon zest.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Leaving them in too long can make the flavor too strong.
- 15
Stir the horchata well to redistribute any settled solids, then pour into individual glasses and serve immediately.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Serve with a few ice cubes if desired for extra chill.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 134.6kcal
- Protein
- 1.3g
- Carbs
- 28.6g
- Fat
- 1.3g
- Fibre
- 7g
- Sugar
- 21.3g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
This Horchata de Chufa is a delightful and unique drink, perfect on its own or paired with traditional Spanish pastries like Fartons. For a richer flavor, consider toasting the tiger nuts lightly before soaking, though this is not traditional. You can also experiment with adding a touch of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground nutmeg for a different aromatic profile.
Store leftover horchata in an airtight container or pitcher in the refrigerator.
Horchata is best served cold and should not be reheated. Stir well before serving if any separation has occurred.