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Tigernuts have long been recognised for their health benefits, as they are high in fiber, iron, proteins and magnesium. So what is tigernut flour?
What is Tigernut?
Tigernut (cyperus sculentus) is actually not a nut, but a small tuber.
Moreover, tigernut is gluten free and grain free.
Which means that people following a gluten free, grain free or nut free diet can enjoy tigernut products. Last but not least, tigernut is paleo and AIP (autoimmune protocol) compliant!
Nutrition and Benefits
Tigernuts have long been recognised for their health benefits, as they are high in fiber, iron, proteins and magnesium.
Where to Buy Tigernut Flour ?
Tigernut flour is very common here in France so we can buy it in all organic food stores. If you live outside of France, availability varies by location. Generally speaking, health food and specialty shops may carry it (though you might want to check with the store before going on a long hike or drive). You can also find it online.
What Does Tigernut Flour Taste Like?
Tigernut flour has a unique sweet and nutty taste.
It has a gritty/sandy texture. If you don’t like the gritty texture, you can use a sifter to give it a finer texture.
What you should also know is that the grittiness varies from one brand to another.
Tigernut Flour Recipes
There are plenty of tasty ways to use tigernut flour. Here are my recipes using tigernut flour :
Dessert / sweet snacks recipes:
- French apple pie
- Banana bread with coconut
- Coconut free banana bread
- Pumpkin/gingerbread muffins
- Tapioca pudding
- Carob zucchini bread
- Banana blueberry muffins
- Fudgy brownies
- Apple cinnamon muffins
Savory recipes:
- Basil pesto
- Zucchini and tuna bread
- Zucchini and pesto muffins
- AIP olive fougasse bread
- Chicken muffins
- Sweet potato and bacon muffins
Tigernut Flour substitute
If you are not intolerant / allergic to almonds, nor on elimination phase of AIP, you can swap 1:1 tigernut flour with almond flour.
But if you are allergic to almonds or strictly following AIP, I’m sorry to tell you that there are no other 1:1 substitute.
The reason for that is the crumbly texture of tigernut flour that calls for a certain amount of liquid that will be extremely different from what coconut flour calls for. Moreover, whereas tigernut flour is crumbly, cassava flour, on the other hand, is very gummy. Knowing this, if you can to substitute tigernut flour with another flour, you will have to alter the whole recipe which, in my opinion, isn’t really worth it, because it won’t even taste the same because you won’t have the unique nutty flavor of tigernut.
I don’t have a sifter but have whisks. Will whisking the tigernut flour function like sifting and decrease the grittiness of the tigernut flour. My digestive system loves the tigernut flour, but I don’t enjoy the gritty texture. Thanks!
Bonjour Lisa. No the purpose here is really to get the flour to a finer texture. So you need to sift it, whisking won’t do any good in this particular situation. But I have to admit that I have done it only once, because this flour is so expensive that, even though I’m not the biggest fan of its grittiness I don’t see myself throwing away what stays in the sifter. (And also it takes extra time, and I’m way too lazy for that ????). So in the end I just use it how it is. But from what I’ve heard (can’t tell because I’ve only used one French brand so far) the brand makes a huge difference in the grittiness. I would love to help you out on choosing the right brand but most American brands are not delivered here in France so I can’t test them for you.
I’ve been baking with tiger nut flour for some time and have found that the brand makes all the difference. Two brands that I love are Pamelas and Anthony’s – they are both finer and less gritty than some of the other brands. They can both be purchased on Amazon.
Thanks for the recipes Bea! I’m excited to try them!
Tank you for your comment. Yes, you are right, the brand does make all the difference. Although I haven’t tested it myself because it is not sold here in France and they don’t deliver here, I have heard very good things about Anthony’s tigernut flour. From what I have heard Anthony’s is not gritty.