Huerta.
Tiger nuts in l’Horta Nord, from field to drying room
Planted in spring, harvested from November to January and dried for about three months in the cambras.
Tiger nuts with Designation of Origin are grown in l’Horta Nord: they are planted in spring, harvested from November to January and dried slowly, for about three months, in the cambras, the traditional drying rooms.
Where they are grown
According to the Regulatory Council of the DO Chufa de València, tiger nuts are grown in villages of the l’Horta Nord district. As early as the late 18th century, Cavanilles recorded the crop in Alboraia and Almàssera.
Planting and watering
Tiger nuts are planted between April and May; the date depends on the previous crop in the plot. A few weeks later the tuber sprouts. The fields are flood-irrigated.
The harvest
To harvest them, the plant has to be completely withered and dry. The above-ground part is then burned in a controlled way. The harvester cuts through two or three ridges at a time, breaks up the soil and separates the tiger nuts. The harvest runs from November to January.
Once harvested, they are washed: they pass through three drums that remove the soil and the fine rootlets, and faulty tubers are discarded.
Drying in the cambras
Drying is done in the cambras, slowly and carefully, and usually takes about three months. In that time their moisture drops from 50 % to 11 %. So that they dry evenly, they are turned twice a day at first and less often as they lose moisture.
Once dry, they are cleaned and graded to remove impurities, and a final selection is made by hand. They are then ready for making horchata.
Frequently asked questions
When are tiger nuts harvested? From November to January.
How long does drying take? About three months, in the cambras.
When are they planted? Between April and May.
Sources
- DO Chufa de València · La chufa (in Spanish, accessed 19-10-2026)
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