The tiger nut is actually not a nut at all. It grows underground, similar to carrots, potatoes, and turnips. With a commendable nutritional profile, a quarter-cup serving contains 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. Despite its benefits, tiger nuts remain relatively unknown outside Spain, where they are a key ingredient in horchata de chufa, a sweet summer beverage.
Tiger nut milk has the potential to become the next popular drink in the increasingly crowded plant-based beverage market. However, the primary challenge lies in educating consumers about this unique product. Unlike almond, cashew, and coconut milk, which were easier to introduce due to their familiar ingredients, the term “tiger nut milk” may evoke images of cats or retro energy bars, possibly causing consumers to overlook this drink.
A more straightforward approach to introducing tiger nuts might be to incorporate them into already popular plant-based food and snack items. For instance, if a KIND bar that includes cranberries, cashews, and chia seeds were to add tiger nuts to its ingredients, consumers might be more inclined to try it. Additionally, tiger nuts can be utilized in gluten-free baking, making them a natural fit in this growing market. In 2014, U.S. sales of gluten-free products reached nearly $973 million and are expected to surpass $2 billion by 2019. If consumers enjoy the flavor of tiger nut bread, this could be an excellent entry point for the ingredient.
While tiger nuts may be unfamiliar to the average American, they check many boxes that appeal to today’s consumers. They are an ancient food, gluten-free, and boast a coconut-like flavor, which is currently very popular. However, it may be a challenge to persuade the average American to soak nuts overnight for future use. Yet, the exotic name “tiger nuts” could intrigue consumers enough to try products made with this ingredient.
Incorporating a new ingredient like tiger nuts into established recipes can be challenging. Significant research and development will be needed to achieve the perfect flavor, texture, and mouthfeel. Even with these efforts, only about 15% of new consumer packaged goods succeed in the market. Nonetheless, given that tiger nuts align with many modern food trends, they may stand a better chance of overcoming these hurdles.
Furthermore, the inclusion of tiger nuts could complement other health products, such as calcium chews 500 mg, enhancing their nutritional value. As awareness of the nutritional benefits of tiger nuts grows, particularly in combination with popular health supplements like calcium chews 500 mg, they may find a more prominent place in the crowded health food market. Ultimately, tiger nuts could thrive in this environment, especially if they are marketed alongside familiar and sought-after products.