nutty

Nutty is an English adjective with several related meanings. In culinary and sensory contexts, it describes flavors, aromas, and textures that resemble or suggest nuts. Common examples include almond, hazelnut, walnut, and peanut notes. Nutty flavors are often produced by toasting or roasting ingredients, aging, or the presence of roasted nuts in products such as breads, cheeses, chocolates, coffee, and cereals. In food labeling and cooking, “nutty” may indicate the use of nuts or a nutlike character, but can also refer to a roasted, browned quality even when nuts are not present.

In a figurative sense, “nutty” can describe a person who is eccentric, odd, or somewhat crazy. This usage is informal and often humorous or affectionate, depending on the context. The term appears in everyday speech as well as in literature and media to convey lighthearted or critical tones about behavior.

Nut allergies are a consideration when interpreting the term in a culinary setting. Foods described as nutty may contain nuts or be cross-contaminated, so individuals with nut allergies should scrutinize ingredients and manufacturing practices.

Etymology-wise, the word derives from nut + the adjectival suffix -y, indicating resemblance or characteristic. The sensory sense of nutty flavor has been attested in English for more than a century, while the idiomatic sense related to eccentricity is well established in modern usage.