![]() ![]() They have a tough, brown skin surrounding a starchy ‘meat’. Plant DescriptionĬassava roots are similar in appearance to yams but they are larger and can weigh a kilo or more. The sweet cassava is lower in cyanide and can be prepared in the same way you would prepare any other root vegetable. The bitter version contains more toxins meaning they have to be thoroughly washed and crushed before being eaten. There are actually two types of cassava – sweet cassava and bitter cassava. However, the cooking process reduces these dangerous chemicals to harmless levels. It is also very high in protein and contains many very important minerals.Īs a word of warning, cassava is toxic to humans when eaten raw as it contains cyanogenic glycosides. It contains about twice as many calories as the potato. ( Arrowroot may also contain tapioca made from cassava – but they are different).Ĭassava may not yet be a staple in western kitchens but it offers numerous nutritional benefits that maybe we should be taking advantage of.Ĭassava is very high in calories. Also known as yuca, yucca, tapioca or manioc, it was once considered a poor man’s food but its reputation is now beginning to change for the better. What is Cassava?Ĭassava is a starch laden root vegetable mainly cultivated in hot, tropical climates including parts of Africa, South America and Asia. If you are interested to find out more about this root, read on. Far from being bad for your health, cassava can actually benefit you in a number of ways. Cassava is extremely high in carbohydrates but it is also high in fiber and a number of healthy minerals and vitamins. However, not all carbs are the same and not all food containing carbohydrates are necessarily bad for your health and your waistline. With the growing popularity of low carb diets, many people avoid high carbohydrate foods entirely or cut back extremely. Foods rich in carbohydrates have had a very bad rap of late.
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