Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tropical plant: A woody shrub (Manihot esculenta) native to South America, cultivated for its large, starchy, tuberous roots.
   • The edible root: The long, tapered root of the cassava plant, which is a major source of carbohydrates and a staple food in many tropical regions.
   • A starch or flour: A fine, powdery substance extracted from the cassava root, used in cooking and baking.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • Farmers in Nigeria grow cassava as a primary crop.
  • The cassava plant is drought-resistant.
• Noun (Root):
  • We need to peel the cassava before boiling it.
  • Fried cassava is a popular street food.
• Noun (Starch/Flour):
  • This bread is made from cassava flour.
  • The recipe calls for two cups of cassava starch.

Advanced Usage

• "Bitter cassava" vs. "Sweet cassava": Cassava varieties are often categorized by their cyanide content. "Bitter cassava" contains higher levels of toxic compounds and requires thorough processing (like drying, soaking, and cooking) before it is safe to eat. "Sweet cassava" contains lower levels and can be prepared with less intensive processing.
  • It is crucial to properly process bitter cassava to remove toxins.

Variants and Related Words

• Manioc: Another common name for the cassava plant and its products, used interchangeably.
  • Manioc flour is a key ingredient in Brazilian cuisine.
• Yuca: The common name for cassava root in Spanish and in many English-speaking regions, particularly in the United States. (Note: This is not the same as the ornamental plant ).
  • We bought fresh yuca at the Latin market.
• Tapioca: A starch extracted from cassava, often processed into pearls, flakes, or powder. Tapioca pearls are used to make bubble tea and puddings.
  • She made a delicious tapioca pudding.

Synonyms

• Root: Tuber (though cassava is technically a root, not a tuber like a potato).
• Staple food: Basic food, main crop.
• Starch: Carbohydrate, flour.

Related Phrases

• Cassava bread: A type of flatbread made from cassava flour.
  • Cassava bread is gluten-free.
• Cassava chips: Thin slices of cassava root that are fried or baked, similar to potato chips.
  • He snacked on salted cassava chips.

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms directly feature the word "cassava." It is primarily a concrete noun for a plant and food product.)

Noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Manihot having fleshy roots yielding a nutritious starch
2. cassava root eaten as a staple food after drying and leaching; source of tapioca
3. a starch made by leaching and drying the root of the cassava plant; the source of tapioca; a staple food in the tropics