cassava

Beginner 🍳 Food / Culinary

Definition

A tropical shrub (Manihot esculenta) native to South America, cultivated for its starchy tuberous roots which are processed into tapioca, flour, and other staple foods across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Example Usage

The cassava flour she used to bake the bread gave it a slightly sweet, earthy flavor distinct from wheat.

Origin

From Taíno (Caribbean indigenous language) cassabi or casaba.

Fun Fact

Cassava is the fourth-largest source of dietary carbohydrates globally for human consumption, after rice, wheat, and maize; the plant's leaves are also highly nutritious.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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