What is Tigernut Flour Made From?
You might be relieved to learn that tiger nut flour has nothing to do with tigers. This flour isn’t even the product of nuts, unlike almond flour.
Instead, tiger nut refers to a small root vegetable grown in parts of Africa and the Mediterranean. While tigernut is currently relatively unheard of, the popularity of this plant is growing fast because of what it can do in terms of nutrition and taste. Speaking of taste, let’s talk about what it tastes like.
In case you were wondering, tigernut earns its name from the visible stripes on the root – it looks like a tiger!
What does Tigernut Flour Taste Like?
Tiger nut flour has a distinct taste – in a good way! Tiger nut flower, as you might have gathered from the name tigernut, has a slightly sweeter taste than normal flour, and a nutty aftertaste. Some have compared the taste of tiger nut flour to not overly sweet graham crackers.
One of the best parts of tigernut is the ability to reduce the amount of regular white or brown sugar you are using because the flour itself adds some sweetener.
Tigernut also tastes a little gritty, which isn’t a bad thing in the context of flour. Flour, while it appears smooth, is also made of tiny bits which can result in a gritty texture.
Is Tiger Nut Flour Good for Baking?
Home chefs will love tiger nut flour for baking. The natural sweetness produces a distinctly sweet flavor without adding unnatural sugar to your cake or cookies.
Tiger nut also excels at baking because it’s naturally moist. As a root vegetable like potatoes, it does well at gathering moisture. Your cake or cookie will keep moist longer because tigernut flour is capable of retaining the moisture that makes it delicious and tender.
The flour also is not overly thick, so your cookies won’t come out especially large or fluffy compared to normal.
Tiger Nut Flour Uses
While baking is certainly a use of tigernut flour, it’s also good for foods like pancakes and tortillas. Sometimes these can use a little extra sweetness without adding it yourself, so tigernut makes a great option.
Tiger \nut really has general uses in the world of cooking. Tiger nut also has a savory aspect with its sweetness and can be sprinkled into soup or stew to make it a bit thicker.
Some cooks will want to mix tigernut with another kind of flour like all-purpose flour because of its sweetness, but try it and you’ll find the right mixture.
Tigernut Flour Benefits
Let’s start with this thought: there is a reason why people are trying to use alternatives to regular all-purpose flour. While tigernut flour isn’t as cheap as all-purpose flour, it adds some significant health advantages you won’t find in typical white flour.
Tiger nut flour is a leading source of fiber. We are talking about a root vegetable here – so it’s to be expected. Fiber can help keep your digestive system regular and running smoothly. Fiber also tells your brain you are full and helps dieters not overeat.
The highly absorbent flour also has the potential to reduce your blood sugar levels. This makes it both safe for diabetics, and potentially helpful in the long run.
You probably didn’t think of this one: Tiger nut is said to boost your libido. While not clinically proven, tiger nut is said to boost testosterone and sperm counts.
Finally, tiger nut has great doses of zinc, calcium, vitamin C, and other essential vitamins. This is to say your bones, heart, and immune system will be helped if you try tiger nut flour once in a while.
Is Tigernut Flour Keto Friendly?
Yes! Tigernut flour has relatively low carbs and could be used as a replacement flour for keto diets.
Is Tigernut Flour Gluten-Free?
Tiger nut flour is gluten-free. The root vegetable does not have any gluten and offers a great alternative for people who are sensitive to gluten.
Does Tigernut Flour Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, it does not. Tigernut flour can be kept at room temperature in a sealed container. Of course, refrigerating won’t hurt your flour and might make it last a little longer.
Conclusion
Tigernut is a root vegetable that looks a bit like a tiger stripe! The flour produced from it is quite good for you and has some serious health benefits in addition to being tasty. We recommend you try it when baking.
