Tiger Nuts, Earth Almond, Northern Coconut
- Hardy to Zone 8, but grown as an annual in colder climates
Full Sun
- Germination Tested Not tested
- 10 tubers per packet
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Expected to restock in December 2026.
Chufa is a frost tender sedge that makes numerous small tubers, sometimes called nuts although that's not botanically correct, that taste like crunchy sweet coconut/almonds.
The latest restock of chufa (Jan 21, 2026) was grown by Three Acre Permaculture in Ontario. Thank you!
I like to snack on these plain fresh from the garden in fall, but they can also be dried and made into flour or horchata de chufa (the original ingredient for horchata from Spain). I heard Telsing Andrews mention she used them to make a gluten-free crust for a chocolate torte- doesn't that sound heavenly?
Chufa has high levels of insoluble fibre and resistant starch, so are great for health. That said, if you're not used to eating a lot of fibre they can cause bloating, so start with consuming a small amount and increase slowly. Sprouting or roasting may help improve digestibility.
To harvest, dig up plants and pick out the tubers. Spray them with a hose on top of a mesh screen or colander to get the dirt out. Lay them out to dry in a single layer to avoid mold. Store in a paper bag at room temperature. Save your largest ones for planting the following year.
Chufa nuts do not overwinter where the ground freezes heavily (below zone 8), but in warmer climates they may become a nuisance, as they are related to yellow nutsedge. So use caution where you plant them. Cultivariable reckons they can survive air temperatures of -6C (20F) for short periods only.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.
Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.
Shipping within Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.
Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS
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Shipping Internationally
International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.
Refund Policy
Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.
Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.
Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept or do not claim an order we've mailed to you, or made available for local pickup.
Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
