Tapioca is a delicious starch extract derived from the cassava plant. It’s most common use is in tapioca pudding; however, the plant elements are also used in certain cultures as a sweet candy or snack. The useful part of the cassava plant is the root which is where tapioca is acquired.

Tapioca is considered a spurge from the family Euphorbiaceae with the scientific name Manihot esculenta. Tapioca may have also gained popularity because it is a gluten-free food, so it is often used as a thickening agent instead of wheat-based fillers, which are considered dangerous for people suffering from celiac disease. It is a favourite food of many vegetarians since it is potentially a pure starch food that may be high in protein and comes in different culinary forms including dried flakes sticks and pearls that must be soaked before consuming so they regain their volume.

Ingredients to make Tapioca

• 1 cup of raw tapioca
• Coconut flesh
• Coconut water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Water

Procedure

Pour raw tapioca into a big bowl. Add a lot of water in the bowl and let the tapioca soak for 10-30minutes to soften the tapioca and to also ensure that any sand or dirt in the tapioca settles to the bottom.

Pour the coconut water into a bowl and set it aside. Grate the coconut with a grater and set it aside.

Put the pot on the cooker and add water according to the thickness you want. Put the soaked tapioca by gently scooping it from the water with your hands so that the sand and dirt settled at the bottom won’t mix with the tapioca. Cook for 20-25minutes.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAPIOCA

1.          It may help in healthy weight gain: Although the majority of people are concerned about staying fit, there are also many who seek options for healthy weight gain. The high carbohydrate content (one cup of tapioca equate to 45 percent of daily carbohydrate requirement) means that it is easy to add bulk and calories to your diet without any unhealthy cholesterol or saturated fats that can result in other health concerns. Majority of these carbohydrates may come in the form of sucrose while a slightly smaller amount comes from complex sugar amylose. This makes tapioca an ideal choice for people who need to gain weight.

2.     It might aid in reducing birth defects: Tapioca may contain a significant amount of B-complex, vitamins including folic acid. Adequate amounts of these vitamins during pregnancy have been directly connected to reducing the chances of neural tube defects in infants.

3.     It may improve digestion: One of the bonus health benefits of tapioca is that it may contain a wealth of dietary fiber. Fiber has been directly linked to improving a number of conditions within the human body but the most obvious is in terms of digestion. Fiber bulks up the stool which may help move it through the digestive tract, thereby eliminating constipation, bloating and intestinal pain.

4.      It may help improve bone mineral density: Tapioca may be a rich source of vitamin K, calcium and Iron, all of which play important roles in the protection and development of bones. Bone mineral density decreases as we age, resulting in conditions like osteopores, osteoarthritis, general weakness and lack of flexibility. If tapioca is regularly consumed, it may provide our bodies with vital nutrients it needs to help promote and protect bone health as we age.

5.       It may help regulate blood pressure:  Tapioca may contain potassium, another essential mineral that the human body requires. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it may help reduce the tension and stress in the blood vessels and arteries. This can increase the flow of blood to parts of the body and reduce the strain on the cardiovascular system.

6.       It may boost energy: Carbohydrates are considered the source of energy for the body since sugars like sucrose are broken down into glucose, which provides usable energy. Tapioca may be rich in carbohydrates, without the negatives such as LDL, cholesterol and saturated fats, so it may help keep energy levels high and increase satiety.