Yuca, a staple for many especially in the developing countries that are prone to drought, has caught the attention of many people in the global village. You might have also come across it in a grocery store but you did not have an idea of what it was and how yuca tastes. This article provides a clear answer to the questions of many. It will start by highlighting what yuca is, what it tastes like and also the health benefits of yuca. The ways in which yuca can be used are also highlighted in this article.
Contents
What is yuca?
Yuca is the root of a cassava plant and it is pronounced as yoo-ka. Some people tend to just refer to it as cassava. It is often mistaken to the southern eastern United States desert plant called yucca because the spellings are almost the same. Although these 2 have quite a similar name they are not related. Yuca has its native origins in South America and it has the same shape and size as sweet potatoes and it is in the same family as yam and sweet potatoes. It has a rough, bark like skin that must be removed by grating or peeling. Yuca is available all year round and it is a drought resistant crop, which is grown in many developing countries whose climate and agro ecology is prone to drought. Yuca can grow up to 4 feet below the ground and they are usually found in the produce section at a grocery store.
What yuca tastes like
The taste of yuca is mild, sweet and somehow nutty. Yuca has a cream white colour which is similar to potatoes and the texture of yuca tastes like that of potatoes.
What yuca can be used for
NB: it is important to note that in most cases yuca is used in the same way as potatoes, this means that it can either be boiled or fried depending on your preference.
Use yuca to make fries
This is a very interesting recipe and you should try it. The first thing is to cut your yuca, make sure you cut them in the shape of French fries boil the yuca then pat dry it. The next part will be to fry the yuca at a heat of 350F until they are golden. The yuca fries will be nice and crispy and you can also enjoy them with any dipping sauce of your choice.
Use yuca to make cake
You can also use yuca to make what is known as a cassava cake. It is gluten free since yuca does not contain gluten. For this recipe you will need to use refined yuca, so if you are gluten intolerant, it doesn’t mean you can’t eat every cake, you can look up the recipe of cassava cake and give it a try, I am sure you will be amazed by the flavour.
Health benefits of yuca
Yuca boosts the immune system
Yuca contains potassium and vitamin C which help to boost the immune system. Vitamin C helps to increase the production of white blood cells in the body and these white blood cells help to fight infections and viruses, thus protecting the immune system. Furthermore, potassium helps in lowering blood pressure in the body thus actually aiding a strong immune system.
Yuca is a source of energy
Yuca is considered the 3rd largest source of carbohydrates in the world and carbohydrates are essential since they boost people’s energy. They help to produce and store energy, so if you eat yuca you are guaranteed to boost your energy levels.
Yuca soothes inflammation
The fascinating thing about yuca is that it has anti-inflammatory and pain soothing qualities, therefore you can consume it if you have soars or cuts on your body. Yuca provides 42.4 milligrams of vitamin C per every cup, thus it provides about 50% of daily required amount of vitamin C, especially in adults. Vitamin C is a vitamin which helps in repairing tissues in humans. Thus if you have any wound you should start taking yuca it speeds up the healing process.
Yuca improves the digestive system
Yuca is gluten free so if you are gluten intolerant you can take yuca as a starch, furthermore the starch that is made from yuca can easily be digested especially by people who have any sort of dietary sensitivity. This shows that yuca is different from other starches since other starches take a longer period to digest.
Yuca reduces blood pressure
Yuca is very high in potassium and one cup of cassava contains about 558 milligrams of potassium which is about 16 to 21% of the daily recommended intake of potassium. Potassium is well known for lowering blood pressure and also helps to balance out sodium intake which is known for raising blood pressure. So if you have blood pressure problems you might consider taking yuca.
Conclusion
Yuca is a staple food for many people especially in the developing countries that are prone to drought. It belongs to the same family as yam and potatoes and it has a rough bark like skin that is very hard, so it is usually removed by grating or peeling. It is often confused with yucca, a plant that is found in the United States of America but these 2 have no relation. Yuca has a mild, sweet and somehow nutty taste and its texture is similar to potatoes. Furthermore, yuca has a number of health benefits for example it helps with digestion, it soothes inflammation, it is a great source of energy, and also it strengthens the bones. It is important to note that yuca can be cooked in the same way as potatoes meaning you can either boil or fry them. The other way of using yuca is by making a cassava cake. It is also worth noting that yuca is gluten free so if you are someone who is gluten intolerant then you should definitely try out yuca.
