Biology:Kunu
Kunu (also known as kunu zaki or kunu aya) is a popular drink consumed throughout Nigeria, mostly in the North.[1][2] Kunu aya is made from the tiger nut, while kunu zaki is usually made from a grain such as millet or sorghum, although it can be made from maize as well. The variety of the drink made from sorghum is a milky light-brown colour, whilst that which is made from millet and maize is whitish in colour.[3]
Preparation
Kunu is made by first allowing the grain seeds to germinate, then soaking the seeds in water for a few days and blending the soaked grain with sweet potatoes and ginger or pepper to form a smooth paste.[4] This paste is then divided into two parts. One part is placed in a vessel and has boiling water poured on it, then it is stirred to give a thick mixture. The other part of the paste is then added to this mixture and it is stirred some more.[5] The mixture is then left for a day or two for the grain husk to settle. After this, the husk and other sediment are filtered out of the mixture, and the filtered liquid is bottled for consumption. This type of kunu is normally referred to as "kunu zaki" the one containing sugar.
Kunu Aya
Kunu aya or ofio in Nigeria, also known as tiger nut drink or tiger nut milk, is a Nigerian drink made from tiger nuts.[6][7] It is also known as kunu aya.[8][9][10]
The major ingredients used in making the drink are tiger nut, dates, and coconut. Cinnamon, coffee, vanilla essence, sugar and honey are also added to give a unique taste and preserve the freshness of the drink.[11][12] It is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.[13]
Chaff are removed from the blended tiger nut. Tiger nut drink is served cold and must be consumed within 3 days if refrigerated.[14][15]
Kunu Tsamiya
This is specifically made from tsamiya (tamarind) and is also use as drink in Hausa communities during naming, marriage and any other types of coronations.
Kunu, can be made from "Aya" (tiger nuts), "Gero" (sorghum), "Dawa" (millet) and "Gyada" (peanuts/groundnuts). It's normally made for sales or serve in many Nigerians' traditional ceremonies especially in the northern and north central part of Nigeria.[16]
Research/Experiments
In a research study, Kunu was administered to laboratory rats to determine its effects on the rats' epididymis, testes size and sperm count. The results showed that while there was a small increase in testicle weight, it slightly lowered sperm count and caused no other major changes in sperm when viewed under a microscope or in the rats’ male hormones. The researchers concluded that Kunu is unlikely to act as a natural male fertility supplement.[17]
References
- ↑ "Easy Steps To Make Kunu" (in en-US). The Guardian (Lagos, Nigeria). 2018-11-09. https://guardian.ng/life/easy-steps-to-make-kunu/.
- ↑ "How To Make Kunu Zaki The Millet Drink" (in en-US). The Guardian (Lagos, Nigeria). 2022-04-08. https://editor.guardian.ng/news/how-to-make-kunu-zaki-the-millet-drink/.
- ↑ "Kunun-zaki Production - Agriculture Nigeria" (in en-US). 2013-09-03. https://www.agriculturenigeria.com/kunun-zaki-production/.
- ↑ "Benefits of Kunu Drink". publichealth.com.ng. https://www.publichealth.com.ng/benefits-of-kunu-drink/.
- ↑ "Health benefits of Zobo and Kunu drinks" (in en-US). BusinessDay (Lagos, Nigeria). 2022-12-12. https://businessday.ng/news/article/health-benefits-of-zobo-and-kunu-drinks/.
- ↑ "Tiger Nuts Milk Market to reach US$ 993.3 Mn by 2030 – Indian Defence News" (in en-US). https://indiandefencenews.info/772013/news/tiger-nuts-milk-market-to-reach-us-993-3-mn-by-2030/.
- ↑ "Tigernut milk". ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Flow-chart-for-the-production-of-tigernut-milk-products_fig1_49965955.
- ↑ omotosho, kehinde (2017-06-26). "How to make coffee tiger nut milk" (in en). Pulse Nigeria. https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/nigerian-drink-recipe-how-to-make-coffee-tiger-nut-milk/1l6zggy.
- ↑ "Health benefits of tiger nuts" (in en-US). The Punch. 2022-05-14. https://punchng.com/health-benefits-of-tiger-nuts/.
- ↑ "Go nutty for tiger nut drink" (in en). Daily Trust. 2015-06-13. https://dailytrust.com/go-nutty-for-tiger-nut-drink.
- ↑ a, temitope (2019-10-16). "How to make tiger nuts milk" (in en). Pulse Nigeria. https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/how-to-make-tiger-nuts-milk/05mljnk.
- ↑ "Dates And Tiger Nut Juice" (in en-US). The Guardian (Lagos, Nigeria). 2022-05-02. https://guardian.ng/life/dates-ans-tiger-nut-juice/.
- ↑ Woodard, Jazzmine (2024-04-09). "Nigerian Tiger Nut Milk (Kunu Aya/Ofio Drink)" (in en-US). https://www.dashofjazz.com/nigerian-tiger-nut-milk-kunu-aya/.
- ↑ Online, Tribune (2020-04-11). "Tiger Nut drink on a platter" (in en-GB). Nigerian Tribune. https://tribuneonlineng.com/tiger-nut-drink-on-a-platter/.
- ↑ "Tiger Nut Milk Drink: The Natural Aphrodisiac" (in en-US). The Guardian (Lagos, Nigeria). 2018-09-09. https://guardian.ng/life/tiger-nut-milk-drink-the-natural-aphrodisiac/.
- ↑ Paki, Sani Ibrahim (2022-05-17). "Tsakanin kunun kanwa, na tsamiya da koko wanne ya fi lafiya ga jiki?" (in en-GB). Daily Trust. https://aminiya.dailytrust.com/tsakanin-kunun-kanwa-na-tsamiya-da-koko-wanne-ya-fi-lafiya-ga-jiki/.
- ↑ Cyprain Akukwu, Darlington; Chinedu Uloneme, Godwin; Nnabuihe Ezejindu, Damian; Sopuluchukwu Udodi, Princewill; Ogochukwu Ezejindu, Ifesinachi; Jesse Nwajagu, Chukwudi; Nzube Obinwa, Benedict; Justicia Obiesie, Ifechukwu et al. (2024). "The effect of local millet drink (Kunu) on the testis and epididymis of adult male wistar rats". WikiJournal of Science 7 (1): 2. doi:10.15347/wjs/2024.001. https://en.m.wikiversity.org/wiki/WikiJournal_of_Science/The_effect_of_local_millet_drink_(Kunu)_on_the_testis_and_epididymis_of_adult_male_wistar_rats.
Sources
- "Kunu! Recipe". 10 June 2019. https://cookpad.com/ke/recipes/9202468-kunu.
External links
 |  |
