Kunu Aya Recipe: How to Make Tiger Nut Milk at Home (Plus Benefits)

By Online African Shop Team · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Kunu aya is the creamy, naturally sweet tiger nut drink sold chilled in bottles all over northern Nigeria. It's dairy-free, needs no added sugar, and takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time. Here's how to make it at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peeled tiger nuts
• 4 cups cold water (plus water for soaking)
• 4 to 6 pitted dates
• 1 thumb of fresh ginger
• Optional: 2 tablespoons coconut flakes, a pinch of cinnamon, or a little cloves

How to make kunu aya

1. Soak: cover the tiger nuts and dates with water and soak overnight (8 to 12 hours) in the fridge. They should be soft enough to bite through.
2. Drain: pour off the soaking water and rinse.
3. Blend: add tiger nuts, dates, ginger and coconut to a blender with 4 cups cold water. Blend on high for 2 minutes until smooth.
4. Strain: pour through a cheesecloth, nut-milk bag or fine sieve. Squeeze out all the milk.
5. Chill and serve: refrigerate at least 1 hour. Shake before pouring.

Variations

• Horchata style: add cinnamon and a splash of vanilla.
• Extra creamy: use 3 cups water instead of 4.
• Weight-gain shake: blend a glass of kunu aya with a banana and 2 tablespoons of whole milk powder. More ideas in high-calorie snacks for weight gain.
• Spiced: add a few cloves or a little kanafuru (grains of selim) the traditional way.

Storage

Kunu aya has no preservatives, so keep it in a sealed bottle in the fridge and drink within 2 to 3 days. If it smells sour or fizzes, toss it.

Why people love tiger nut milk

• Naturally sweet and creamy, without dairy
• Tiger nuts are rich in fiber and healthy fats
• Tiger nuts aren't tree nuts, so many people with nut allergies can have them (check with your doctor)

FAQ

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice.