Tapioca has been present as part of the primary diet of the indigenous people of the Amazon. Its cultivation was part of the cultural exchange during the time of Christopher Columbus. However, tapioca, cassava, or cassava as it is also known, has been part of the cuisine on other continents, such as Africa and Asia.
Let's see what this food is about and learn about its properties, benefits and most common uses in gastronomy.
What is tapioca?
Tapioca is a starchy tuber with high nutritional value . It is grown in soils in tropical climates, it is believed that its origins lie in South America and its spread throughout the world allowed it to be cultivated in continents such as Africa and Asia. Tapioca or yucca bush is a perennial shrub that sometimes manages to reach a height of no more than 2 meters. Its fruits are underground so they are considered a root. Its shape is elongated cylindrical and depending on the time of cultivation it can reach a maximum of 1 m in length and a radius of 10 cm.
Properties and benefits of tapioca
- Tapioca contains abundant carbohydrates, providing 86.4g per 100g, so it is the perfect substitute for potatoes.
- The calories they provide are quite generous, for every 100g of tapioca you ingest 354g of calories.
- It contains 0.58g of protein per 100g.
- It is very low in fat, standing at 0.20g per 100g.
- In relation to the vitamins present in cassava we can highlight vitamin B2 and B3.
- It contains important minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, although in low concentrations.
- It is very rich in fiber, which gives it satiating power. In addition, it is easy to digest, which makes it an ideal food to control appetite and lose weight.
- It lacks gluten , so it can be included in the diet for people with celiac disease.
How is Tapioca used in cooking?
In gastronomy, cassava serves as a garnish for salty dishes, especially in Latin American countries. It can be served parboiled with salt to taste or, if you prefer, sautéed (previously cooked). Another use for cassava is to thicken broths and stews. They are also the raw material for making cassava buns with cheese and then baked in the oven, they are an ideal snack.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE TAPIOCA WITH COCONUT MILK
On the other hand, there is a long list of different traditional desserts that are made from cassava. One of them is cassava in syrup. To make this dessert, tapioca is allowed to cook for almost a whole day with honey. The result is a sweet with spectacular flavor and texture, very popular in Mexican cuisine. And there are also recipes in which tapioca is presented in the form of pudding.
