Increasingly, exotic settle on our gardens, not only in the southern regions, but also in areas of the middle band. In this exotic plant, quite successfully settle in our gardens is Chufa - a native of North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Externally Chufa like a bush grasses. The difference is that the modified shoots chufy form stolons, such as from potatoes. A formed on stolons and mature tubers. They are small in size 1.5-3.5 cm in diameter, oblong, with brown skin and white flesh.
After drying the tubers it becomes thick and wrinkled. Is different:
- high, up to 35% oil content;
- squirrel;
- minerals.
Application chufy
Due to the composition, which chufu awarded Mother Nature, she found the application:
- and cooks;
- and confectioners;
- and physicians;
- and cosmetologists.
Confectioners add the flour in sweets, in pastries, made from chufy halva. I can not say a few words about the drink of chufy - orgeat.
The recipe of this sweet and refreshing drink you can read below.
It is very popular in Spain and Italy, and is a mandatory attribute of the Mediterranean diet. In Spain, this drink even a national holiday dedicated.
Earthen almonds also has:
- Antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
- It tones the body and gives strength.
- It helps cleanse the body of toxins.
Growing in the garden chufy
Chufa not tolerate areas with high humidity, swampy soils. For planting choose a sunny site with well-drained soil. Top soil sandy loam and loam. Agrotehnika growing chufy very similar to the cultural practices of growing potatoes.
- Location planting rows from north to south. Embarkation begins upon the occurrence of stable warm weather and warm soil to 15 ° C. The distance between the rows 60 cm, in series between the holes 30-35. As well, at a depth of 7-8 cm, are placed 4-5 tubers.
- A week later, sprouts will appear. When they will rise to 12-15 cm conduct hilling completely asleep shoots. Care is to destroy weeds, loosening soil, timely watering. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged and stagnant water.
- Chufu harvested in the autumn when the leaves turn yellow and wither. Dig with stolons tubers were collected, washed on the grate under the tap. Then dried in the sun before the appearance of wrinkles. Store in a cool dry place.
Preparation of almond milk
250 g of fruit chufy add water, after some time and wash hands exfoliate skin. Again add 0.5 l of water and left to swell for 12-18 hours. Thoroughly grind in a blender, add 1 L of water, 200 g of natural sugar, if desired, cinnamon, strain. Cool. Healthy and tasty drink is ready.