In our blog, we’ve previously covered the process of initiating a soft drinks or zobo drinks business in Nigeria.

In today’s article, we’re going to provide a step-by-step guide on launching a tiger nuts drinks business in Nigeria. This piece will outline how to commence this venture on either a small or large scale. Tiger nuts drinks, also known as kunu aya, are highly nutritious, containing numerous minerals and vitamins such as protein, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, and more. Despite originating in the North, these drinks are beloved by Nigerians across the country. Preparing tiger nut drinks is straightforward—all you need to do is blend tiger nuts, ginger, and sugar, then store them in PET bottles for sale.

Is Tiger Nuts Drink a Profitable Business?

Numerous factors contribute to the popularity of tiger nuts drinks in Nigeria. Many of these factors revolve around the drink’s perceived ability to promote healing and rejuvenation. This is a major driver behind the increasing demand for tiger nuts drinks, making it a profitable venture. Additionally, the business doesn’t require a substantial initial capital investment, as the ingredients needed for production are relatively affordable.

Initial Capital Requirement for Starting a Tiger Nut Drink Business

It’s a common misconception that one needs a large factory to start a tiger nut drinks business. However, it’s entirely feasible to begin this enterprise from the comfort of your home. Of course, if you have the resources, setting up a factory is an option, but it’s not a prerequisite. You can use recycled plastic bottles to store your kunu aya and refrigerate them after production. To initiate a tiger nut drink business from home, you’ll need a minimum capital of #20,000. This capital will cover the cost of acquiring tiger nuts, ginger, and sugar.

Steps to Commence a Tiger Nuts Drink Business in Nigeria

Here are the steps required to launch a tiger nuts drinks business in Nigeria:

1. Learn How to Make Tiger Nut Drink: The initial step in starting a tiger nut drink business is to acquire the knowledge of how to prepare these drinks. You can learn from local experts in your area, or you can find online resources, such as YouTube tutorials. Once you’ve learned the process (usually within 2-3 days), practice making the drinks. Start with small quantities of ingredients for your practice runs. After preparing the drinks, offer them to family and friends for feedback. It’s important to refrigerate the tiger nut drinks to prevent spoilage or souring, as they are best served chilled.

2. Secure the Required Capital: The startup costs for a tiger nut drink business are relatively low, which is why many entrepreneurs find it accessible. Once you’ve gathered the #20,000 capital mentioned earlier, you can set up your kunun aya business from home. Use this capital to purchase the necessary equipment and ingredients for production.

3. Acquire Ingredients: There are four primary ingredients used in making kunun aya. Consider buying them in bulk to increase your production capacity. Properly ventilate the storage area for these ingredients, except for sugar, which should be kept in a sealed container to prevent ant infestations. Additionally, you can generate income from the waste produced during the preparation process by selling it to livestock farmers.

4. Start Production: Before you begin production, obtain PET plastic bottles for packaging your drinks. Depending on your resources, you can either use recycled soft drink bottles or purchase new ones, provided they are thoroughly cleaned. After acquiring the bottles, proceed to prepare your tiger nut drinks and refrigerate them. Keep in mind that tiger nut drinks tend to settle over time, so you’ll need to periodically mix them before packaging.

5. Storage: If you don’t add preservatives to your tiger nut drinks, refrigeration is essential to prevent them from spoiling. This ensures that the vitamins and minerals in the drinks remain at their peak. You’ll need a reliable power source, such as electricity or a generator, to maintain the refrigerator’s temperature. In the absence of electricity, you can use ice blocks to keep your drinks cool.

6. Sales: Depending on the bottle size, consider pricing your tiger nut drinks at #200 or #300 each. Tiger nuts are relatively expensive, which justifies their higher cost compared to other beverages like zobo drinks. Some sellers even charge #300 for a 35cl bottle. The final price depends on your production costs and quality. With effective mixing and cost management, you can potentially earn a #100 profit on each bottle of tiger nut drink sold at the retail level.

7. Additional Business Ideas: You can explore complementary businesses alongside your tiger nut drinks venture:
– Selling zobo drinks, which is often done in conjunction with tiger nut drinks.
– Producing and selling snacks, such as puff puff or egg rolls, to accompany your drinks.
– Venturing into the pure water business if you have a suitable location.
– Starting an ice block business, especially if you own a chest freezer, to supply bars and restaurants.

Recipe for Four and a Half 60CL Bottles

– 7 cups of tiger nuts
– 3 cups of dried dates
– 1 whole coconut
– 3 teaspoons of vanilla essence (optional)
– 1 teaspoon of minced ginger (optional)

How to Prepare tiger nut for Selling

1. Begin by soaking the tiger nuts in water for approximately one hour or overnight, depending on your preference.
2. Thoroughly wash the soaked tiger nuts to completely eliminate any dirt or impurities. This washing process may require vigorous scrubbing and multiple water changes.
3. Break the dates into smaller pieces and soak them in water to soften them.
4. Break the coconut and cut it into smaller chunks. Ensure that all components are thoroughly washed.
5. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and use a grinding machine, or a commercial grinder if available, to grind them into a homogeneous mixture.
6. Add a suitable amount of water to the mixture and thoroughly mix it.
7. Strain the mixture using a chiffon cloth or sieve to separate the liquid from any remaining solids.
8. Transfer the liquid into your chosen containers and refrigerate them.

Sales Tips:

– To prolong the shelf life of the tiger nuts drink, consider adding ginger. Grind the ginger along with the other ingredients to help prevent spoilage.
– You can sell this beverage in various locations, such as hospitals, schools, markets, and more.

Conclusion:

The tiger nut drink business is attractive to students and stay-at-home moms due to its simplicity. However, long-term success in this business requires consistency. Scaling up the venture is possible, but it’s advisable to build a solid customer base first.