Tapioca is a starch extracted from cassava root. This species is native to the Northern Region of Brazil, but spread throughout the South American continent. The plant was carried by Portuguese and Spanish explorers to most of the West Indies, and continents of Africa and Asia. It is now cultivated worldwide.
Tapioca is one of the purest forms of starch food. The cassava plant produces the cassava root (also known as yuca or manioc), a starchy, high-carbohydrate tuber – similar to yam, taro, plantains and potato. As a tuberous root vegetable, cassava is gluten, grain and nut-free, as well as vegan, vegetarian and paleo.
While sometimes the terms cassava flour and tapioca flour are used interchangeably, there are in fact distinct differences. Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root through a process of washing and pulping. The wet pulp is then squeezed to extract a starchy liquid. Once all the water evaporates from the starchy liquid, the tapioca flour remains.
Health benefits of Tapioca flour:
- Tapioca can support healthy weight gain due to its high carbohydrate content, so you can add bulk and calories to your diet without the unhealthy cholesterol or saturated fats.
- It has a large amount of carbohydrates, without the negative cholesterol and saturated fats, so energy levels will be high and you will generally feel better and more able to face your day.
In the kitchen:
- Tapioca is used as a thickening agent in various foods, including savory and sweet dishes. It can be used in place of arrowroot, cornstarch or flour to thicken sauces and soups.
Note:
Since tapioca does have a very high carbohydrate and caloric content, if you are trying to lose weight, it might not be the best food to add to your diet in large quantity. Moderation is the key!
Despite the benefits of eating tapioca in various forms, it is important to remember that the pant cassava can be very poisonous if not prepared, processed, or cooked properly. Cassava produces cyanide, which is an extremely poisonous compound to humans. Tapioca that you buy in a store is perfectly healthy to eat. But! Don’t attempt to process or eat tapioca grown or found in the wild, unless you are instructed by someone who is very familiar with a healthy way of processing it!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca
http://www.livestrong.com/article/509033-the-health-benefits-of-tapioca/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/tapioca.html
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefit-tapioca-starch-11220.html
Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian
