chufa

[ choo-fuh ]

noun

1. an African plant, Cyperus esculentus sativus, of the sedge family, having a tuberous, edible root.

chufa

/ ˈtʃuːfə /

noun

1. a sedge, Cyperus esculentus, of warm regions of the Old World, with nutlike edible tubers

Word History and Origins

Origin of chufa¹

1850–55, Americanism; < Spanish

Word History and Origins

Origin of chufa¹

C19: from Old Spanish: a morsel, joke, from chufar to joke, from chuflar to deride, ultimately from Latin sībilāre to whistle

Example Sentences

Egyptians then domesticated the sycamore fig and a local vegetable called chufa.

From Literature

As any mildly inquisitive tourist knows, in Valencia horchata is made from chufas, a tuber, and their provenance is so zealously guarded that a regulatory board oversees the geographical region where they’re grown.

From Washington Post

We encouraged her, applauded her, threw her chufas and almonds until she began to show a wish to dance also.

From Project Gutenberg