Chufa - Grass With Nuts

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

From the outside, this plant is very similar to the common sedge grass. It looks good in flower beds and around ponds. However, its main charm lies in the roots - small nodules that taste like almonds. Due to this, this plant is often called earthen almonds, although the official name is much simpler - chufa or sity. In the middle lane, it is not found so often, but it is still possible to grow it

Healthy and nutritious

In different countries, chufu is called differently: sakkit - in Egypt, earthen almonds - in Italy, nebbu - in Sudan, winter house, earthen almonds, saty - in Russia. This culture is most cultivated in Spain. In this country, one of the most popular and delicious drinks is "Orshad" - it is made from chufa. Its healing properties are good for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Long before our era, nut nodules of this amazing perennial culture were found in the ancient Egyptian pyramids. Chufa came to Russia in the 18th century, where, thanks to almond-like nodules and excellent taste, it earned recognition. Its nuts are well absorbed and very nutritious, contain many useful substances. Chufa oil has a delicate almond aroma. It is actively used in the food and cosmetic industries.

Good for desserts

In height, the chufa bushes - representatives of the Syt clan - can reach up to 80cm. They consist of hardish leaves collected in numerous bunches. Among them, small yellowish, rather nondescript flowers of the plant make their way. Up to 450 oval nodules can be obtained by planting just one nut. Very tasty and fragrant desserts are obtained from them: halva, cakes, sweets, chocolate, etc. The plant tops, due to their nutritional properties, are fed to pets - the leaves are too hard for salads.

In the south - tubers, in the north - seedlings

Chufa is accustomed to a subtropical climate, because it was brought from North Africa and the Mediterranean. In our zone, it is suitable for light, loose, nutritious soil, the temperature of which is above 15C. Before planting, the nodules are kept in water for three days. At a distance of 20-30 cm from each other, 3-4 nuts are deepened into the soil by 10 cm. It is advisable to add wood ash or from sunflower stalks to the holes. The distance between the rows is left at 60-70cm. Sprouts appear in 10 days if the soil is warmed up. In cold weather, the grass is shown no earlier than 15-20 days.

For the northern regions, it is better to recommend the seedling method, which brings a higher yield. The secret lies in the fact that more mature nodules appear in the case of a long growing season. Chufu is sown in boxes in the middle of spring, 2-3 per hole, leaving at room temperature. You can also use a combined growing method.

The plant in care is not demanding: it is necessary to water as needed, the weeds are periodically removed, before the emergence of shoots, they loosen the soil a little and feed it with a mullein. Plant diseases are quite rare. The enemies are bears, ants and wireworms. Excessive moisture leads to root rot, smut or rust.

Harvesting is not easy

If the tops are dry and yellow, then it's time to start cleaning. It is not worth digging up tubers before the deadline, because there is little valuable oil in unripe tubers - it accumulates during the growing season. Small nodules are formed on many thin rhizomes that make up the developed root system of the chufa. Only large or medium-sized almonds are suitable for harvesting.

Cleaning is best done in dry weather. They get nodules like potatoes: they carefully dig them up, shake them off from earthy lumps. To facilitate the assembly process, you can use a metal mesh for sifting and further washing the "nuts". They are dried in the sun (although it is possible indoors) until the appearance of "wrinkles" on them. Chufu is stored both indoors and in the basement. The main thing is to protect the crop from rodents.

The germination capacity of dried nodules is maintained for up to several years. The largest and most mature tubers are selected for planting. They should be washed with a solution of potassium permanganate and, after drying, stored on the lower shelf of the refrigerator in a glass jar. Earthen almonds used for food are washed with plain water before consumption. Its shell, wrinkled and dense, is practically not felt. Chufa is good both processed and fresh.