Cassava

Vegetable

Cassava

Cassava (manioc, yuca, Manihot esculenta) is a starchy tropical root that must be correctly prepared—bitter types contain cyanogenic glycosides removed by peeling, grating, soaking, fermenting, or thorough cooking. Sweet table types, properly cooked, are mild, dense, and slightly sweet, similar to a dry potato. Boil, fry as chips, mash, or ferment into garri, farinha, and tapioca starches. Never eat raw bitter cassava. Frozen peeled roots simplify home cooking outside the tropics.

Track this ingredient

Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedBoiledChilledChoppedDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedJulienneMincedPeeledPickledQuarteredRoastedSaltedShreddedSlicedSmokedSteamedWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicExport CertifiedFair TradeFarm AssuredHeirloomLocally GrownNon-GMOOrganicPesticide FreeRegenerativeSeasonalSingle Origin

Sources

GreenhouseHydroponicIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

DenseEarthyMildNeutralPaleStarchy

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 132

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.2 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.06 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.04 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 19.8 mg
  • Salt 0.05 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 31 g
  • Dietary Fibre 2.5 g
  • Total Sugars 1.5 g
  • Complex / starch 24 g
  • Protein 1.5 g
  • Water 65.4 g
Detailed nutrients

Starchy vegetables store digestible carbohydrate for cooking energy.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Cassava.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

BR

Amazonian peoples domesticated cassava and developed detoxifying processing methods.

Portuguese and Spanish trade carried cassava to Africa and Asia as a calorie staple.

Tapioca pearl and starch industries commercialised cassava carbohydrate globally.

Improved varieties expanded cassava’s role in food security worldwide.

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