tigernut
tigernut Lexical Profile
• noun
The small, edible tuber of the yellow nutsedge plant, characterized by a sweet, nutty flavor and a wrinkled exterior, often eaten as a snack or used notably in Spain to produce the beverage horchata de chufa.
"She soaked the dried tigernuts overnight before blending them with water and a touch of cinnamon to make fresh horchata."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite its name, the tigernut is a small root tuber rather than a botanical nut, making it entirely safe for individuals with tree nut or peanut allergies.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'tiger' and 'nut', coined in English to describe the small tuber's slightly striped, wrinkled exterior and its hard, nut-like texture. The tuber itself has been cultivated since ancient Egyptian times, where it was known as 'chufa'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.