Tigernut spread is taking USA snack aisles and home pantries by storm. Its acclaim as a superfood has consumers intrigued and even infatuated with the snack spread and all its various uses in adding flavor, moisture, nutrition and more to various drinks and dishes.
Despite the addition of different forms of tigernut to the market, including flours, granolas, and milks, tigernut spread remains one of the most popular tigernut products to date. Read on to find out why tigernut spread is setting hearts on fire in America.
Introduction
Tigernut spread is a spread akin to nut butter, but because tigernuts aren’t made from nuts, it can’t be considered a true member of the nut butter family. It can, however, be used almost anywhere that traditional nut butters are used: as a spread on toast, bread, or crackers, as a topping on waffles, pancakes, and smoothie bowls, or in many baking applications. Because it’s nut free, it’s a safe substitute for those with nut allergies.
Tigernut spread first appeared in ancient Egypt, where Egyptians would combine crushed tigernuts with honey or oil and eat it as a treat. Tigernut cultivation spread throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, where various versions of tigernut spread followed. Today, tigernut spread is produced commercially and is available nearly everywhere on the globe.
Nutritional Composition
The nutritional components and composition of tigernut spread will vary from brand to brand. Take Natureul’s Classic Tigernut Spread, for example. It’s made up of just two ingredients: ground tigernuts and pure tigernut oil, making it one of the cleanest examples we can give. A two-tablespoon serving will yield approximately 230 calories, including 18 grams of monounsaturated fat, 1 gram of protein, and 13 grams of carbs. There are 4 grams of naturally-occuring sugar and 3 grams of fiber in each serving.
Tigernut spread can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet and can yield many health benefits. The fiber in tigernut spread is critical to maintaining good digestion, and the monounsaturated fat and array of valuable minerals found in the spread is good for your heart. Tigernuts can also help balance blood sugar and aid in healthy weight management!
Production and Ingredients
Tigernut spread is typically made from ground tigernuts and oil, but the type and quality of oil may vary from producer to producer. It can be made with tigernut oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or other types of vegetable or seed oils. Not all oils are friendly to nut allergies, so be sure to always check the label of your tigernut spread to ensure it’s safe to ingest. Some brands may also heat their spread after combining ingredients, or add flavorings and sweetening agents. Again, the type and quality of the flavors or sweeteners will vary from brand to brand. If you have dietary restrictions, always double check the ingredients list before trying a new kind of tigernut spread!
Taste and Texture
The flavor of plain tigernut spread can best be described as mildly sweet, slightly nutty, and a little earthy. It’s not as bold as peanut butter or almond butter, but that’s what many consumers like about it! It can be altered to add chocolatey or aromatic properties with ingredients like carob, cocoa, cinnamon, or other herbs and spices.
The consistency of tigernut spread is what makes it most unique. It’s a lot thinner and runnier than nut butters, making it easy to spread and stir into smoothies and batters. It’s scoopable, pourable, and easily spreadable without much effort. It can be made thicker with the addition of more tigernut powder or reduction of oil to suit the preferences of the user.
Allergen Considerations
Tigernuts aren’t nuts at all–they’re little tubers that grow under the ground on the roots of the yellow nutsedge plant. As tubers, they’re completely safe for anyone with nut allergies! They’re also naturally free of gluten, a protein found on wheat products that can sometimes cause flare-ups in those with sensitivities to gluten. Depending on the brand, tigernut spread may also be suitable for those with dairy allergies. Most tigernut spreads also cater to those with preferences for organic, non-GMO, and plant-based products.
Popularity in the USA
Tigernut spread has gained popularity in the USA as the health and wellness niche has taken off. The general public has started to place more emphasis not only on their overall diet, but the quality and impact that their food has on their bodies and ecosystems. As more people become aware of autoimmune conditions and inflammation stemming from what were thought to be safe ingredients (like peanuts), tigernut spread has become their spread of choice. The rise of plant based diets and an overall trend away from dairy products has also contributed to the jump in popularity, but likely not as much as ingredient awareness has.
Market Trends
Tigernut spread is widely available in chain supermarkets in metropolitan areas, but rural dwellers can still acquire tigernut spread by ordering it online, where many major retailers and independent producers sell it in many styles and flavors with fast delivery options. Tigernut spread is growing more popular by the day, so if you haven’t seen it in your local grocery store already, it might appear on the shelves of the specialty aisle soon.
Tigernut spread is constantly being innovated and included in ground-breaking new products geared toward those with dietary restrictions. Within the next few years, tigernut spread is expected to be as widely available and varied as other leading nut butters.
Final Thoughts on the USA’s Love of Tigernut Spread
Whether it’s because of the associated health benefits, intriguing taste, or allergy-friendliness, there’s no denying that the USA is a major fan of tigernut spread, and the love is only continuing to spread! Even though it’s not yet topped the popularity of traditional nut spreads like peanut and almond butter, one thing is for certain: tigernut spread is here to stay.