Ingredients in focus: Why Tiger Nut Makes Our Dairy-Free Chocolate Crumb Sing!

Tiger nut, delivering grassroot goodness to your chocolate 

Here at Tiger & Bean, we're on a mission to provide fine flavour ingredients so that you can craft delicious chocolate that everyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary restrictions. You might have read about our innovative dairy-free crumb, a game-changer in achieving that smooth, rich flavour you expect from quality chocolate, without any dairy.

But what goes into this magical dairy-free crumb? While we experiment with various plant-based ingredients, one stands out as a true star: the humble tiger nut.

Now, you might be picturing a striped feline munching on a nut. Not quite! Tiger nuts, or chufa, are actually small tubers with a surprisingly delightful flavour profile. So, why have we chosen this often-overlooked ingredient as a key component in our dairy-free revolution? Let us tell you!

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly for any food lover, tiger nut boasts a superior flavour. Let's be honest, some dairy-free alternatives can fall a little flat on the palate. Ingredients like rice flour, while useful, often lack inherent flavour and the creamy undertones we strive for in our chocolate. Tiger nut, on the other hand, brings a subtle sweetness and a naturally creamy, almost nutty nuance to our crumb. This inherent flavour richness allows us to build a more complex and satisfying dairy-free chocolate experience, miles away from the blandness some alternatives can suffer from.

Secondly, our roots are right here in Valencia, Spain, a region where tiger nuts have been cultivated for centuries, most famously for the refreshing drink horchata. We are passionate about supporting our local farmers and celebrating the wonderful produce of our region. Using tiger nuts in our dairy-free crumb allows us to tap into this local agricultural heritage and contribute to the sustainability of our community. It feels good to create something delicious while also supporting the people who work the land around us.

Finally, and crucially, tiger nut is not a common allergen. In a world where allergies are increasingly prevalent, creating inclusive treats is paramount to us. By choosing tiger nut, we can offer a delicious dairy-free option that is also free from many of the major allergens, making our chocolate accessible to even more people.

So, there you have it! Our decision to use tiger nut in our dairy-free crumb is driven by its fantastic flavour, our commitment to local sourcing, and its allergen-friendly nature. We believe this unique ingredient is a key part of what makes our dairy-free chocolate so special.

Stay tuned to learn more about our innovative processes and the delicious dairy-free treats we're creating!