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Cassava

Updated: Sep 29, 2020


Man Sappalang | มันสำปะหลัง | Manihot esculenta

Family: Euphorbiaceae - Genus: Manihot


Cassava can be found near the entrance of Mount Never-rest and in the area.

 

Cassava is the edible tuberous root vegetable of the cassava plant (native to South America). . It's also known as manioc. The cassava plant is a woody, perennial shrub. Cassava is eaten when boiled thoroughly. But is mainly used to extract cassava starch, called tapioca.

! The raw tuberous roots and leaves are highly toxic but are edible once properly prepared and cooked.

Cassava is harvested about 8 - 10 months after planting, from November to March.


 

The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 meter tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The lower trunk is usually scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. All parts of the plant contain latex.
PLANT

CASSAVA PLANT

Cassava is a perennial plant, and is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates.

 

The leaves of the papaya are large, 50-70 cm in diameter, with seven lobes.
LEAVES

CASSAVA LEAVES

Cassava leaves are green and alternated on the stem.

The leaves are edible, and are a good source of protein.

! The leaves are highly toxic but are edible once properly prepared and cooked.


 


The flowers are five-parted; the male flowers have the stamens fused to the petals. The female flowers have a superior ovary and five contorted petals loosely connected at the base. The flowers are sweet-scented, open at night, and wind- or insect-pollinated.
FLOWER

CASSAVA FLOWERS


There are male and female flowers on a single plant.

The flowers are a gold/yellow color with pink and white


It has 4-5 petals/and is small (ca. 2 cm).






 
The fruit is a large berry that is generally spherical or cylinder in form and about 15–45 centimeter  long and 10–30 centimeter in diameter. The fruit grows on the stem of the tree.
Fruit

CASSAVA ROOTS

The cassava root is long and tapered, with a firm, flesh in a rind that is about 1 mm thick, rough and brown on the outside. Cassava roots can be 5 to 10 centimetres in diameter at the top, and 15 to 30 centimetres long The flesh can be chalk-white or yellowish.

Cassava roots are very rich in starch

!The raw tuberous roots are highly toxic but are edible once properly prepared and cooked.


 


CULINARY USES OF CASSAVA

!The raw tuberous roots and raw leaves are highly toxic but are edible once properly prepared and cooked.


Cassava is predominantly consumed in boiled form, but substantial quantities are used to extract cassava starch, called tapioca, which is used for food, animal feed, and industrial purposes.


Cassava can be cooked in many ways. The root has a delicate flavor and can replace potatoes.

It can be made into a flour that is used in breads, cakes and cookies.

In Thailand a popular traditional cassava dish is Chuem, a candied starchy dessert.

The tubers are also used for making tapioca pearls used in other desserts.

and drinks.

The leaves are also edible, but in raw form, the leaf is toxic. When you boil the leaves the poison is neutralized and the cassava is safe to eat.


NUTRITION

100 gram of raw cassava contains:

Energy 160 kcal

Carbohydrates 38.1 gram

Sugars 1.7 gram

Dietary fiber 1.8 gram

Fat 0.3 gram

Protein 1.4 gram


Vitamins

Thiamine (B1) 0.087 milligram

Riboflavin (B2) 0.048 milligram

Niacin (B3) 0.854 milligram

Vitamin B6 0.088 milligram

Folate (B9) 27 microgram

Vitamin C 20.6 milligram


Minerals

Calcium 16 milligram

Iron 0.27 milligram

Magnesium 21 milligram

Phosphorus 27 milligram

Potassium 271 milligram

Sodium 14 milligram

Zinc 0.34 milligram

 

TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF CASSAVA


NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.


CASSAVA ROOT

Alternative practitioners believe that cassava roots can aid in the treatment or prevention of certain health conditions, including:

  • Arthritis 

  • Cancer

  • Dandruff

  • Diabetes

  • Diarrhea

  • Hair loss

  • Infertility

  • Prolonged labor

  • Skin infections

CASSAVA LEAVES

The leaves are said to assists in digestion and may help to overcome the constipation.

It also helps to relieve headaches, cold medicine, worms, rheumatism, ulcers, diarrhea and enhance stamina.



 

INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience

For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!


Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!


INTO THE WILD!

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