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Re: chula (or chufa?) sources



Ensley Sisk (ESISK@oz.oznet.ksu.edu) asked for info. on an edible,
tuber-bearing plant called "chuta".  I wonder if the plant sought is
"chufa," aka earth almond, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus).  It is a
perennial sedge bearing numerous small, nut-flavored tubers.  In Cornucopia
(Facciola, Kampong Publications, 1990) is is mentioned as being used in the
Middle East and Spain as a beverage (cooked in barley juice and sweetened),
among other uses.  Cornucopia lists at least 16 sources for seed or tubers.
(Contact me if you want any of these sources; I don't want to list them if
this is not the plant in question.

Beware, this plant can be very weedy.  J.L. Hudson sells seeds of C.
esculentus va. sativa, a variety claimed to "not become weedy."  Chufa is
mentioned in a number of books on wild edibles, economic plants, and weeds.


S. DeMuth

sdemuth@asrr.arsusda.gov