Kunun Aya (Nigerian Tigernut Drink)

• •2 cup Raw tigernuts (unpeeled)
• •15 piece Pitted dates (soft dates are best, or soak dried ones)
• •1 inch piece Fresh ginger (peeled and roughly chopped)
• •0.5 tsp Whole cloves (or to taste)
• •5 cup Water (plus extra for soaking)

Instructions

1. 1

   Thoroughly rinse the tigernuts under cold water. Place them in a large bowl, cover with plenty of fresh cold water, and let them soak for at least 12 hours, or preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. If your dates are very hard, you can soak them in a separate bowl of warm water for 30 minutes to soften.

2. 2

   After soaking, drain the tigernuts and rinse them again. Discard the soaking water. Drain the dates as well.

3. 3

   Transfer the soaked tigernuts, pitted dates, chopped ginger, and whole cloves to a high-speed blender. Add 4 cups of fresh cold water.

4. 4

   Blend on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth and creamy, and the tigernuts are fully pulverized. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender a few times to ensure everything is well combined.

5. 5

   Strain the mixture using a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag over a large bowl. Squeeze the pulp firmly to extract all the liquid. Discard the remaining pulp (or save for other uses like baking).

6. 6

   Taste the Kunun Aya. If it's too thick, gradually add the remaining 1-2 cups of water, or less, to reach your desired consistency. Adjust sweetness if needed by blending in a few more dates (if you prefer more sweetness) or a tiny pinch of sugar.

7. 7

   Pour the Kunun Aya into a pitcher or bottles and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours before serving. Serve cold, optionally over ice.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For the best flavor and texture, ensure your tigernuts are soaked for the full duration. This makes them easier to blend and helps extract maximum flavor.
• 💡If you prefer a stronger ginger or clove flavor, you can slightly increase the amounts to your taste, or even add a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg for another layer of warmth.
• 💡Leftover tigernut pulp can be dehydrated and ground into flour, added to smoothies, or incorporated into baked goods for extra fiber and nutrients.
• 💡Kunun Aya is best enjoyed fresh within 2-3 days when stored in the refrigerator.