Definition

Noun 1. A starch extracted from the cassava root: Manioca is a fine, powdery starch obtained by processing the root of the cassava plant (Manihot esculenta). It is a primary source of tapioca and a fundamental carbohydrate food in tropical regions.

Usage Examples

• As a staple food ingredient: "The village's diet relies heavily on manioca, which they use to make flatbreads and porridge."
• As a processed product: "The recipe calls for manioca to thicken the soup, giving it a smooth, glossy texture."
• In an agricultural context: "The farmer explained how manioca is different from the fresh cassava root, as it is the extracted and dried starch."

Advanced Usage

• In culinary terminology: Manioca is often used interchangeably with "cassava flour" or "tapioca starch" in recipes, though there can be subtle processing differences. It is valued for being gluten-free.
• In economic or anthropological contexts: The term can be used to discuss food security, traditional diets, or agricultural economies in the tropics. For example: "The export of manioca forms a crucial part of the country's economy."

Variants and Related Words

• Cassava (noun): The name of the plant () or its edible tuberous root from which manioca is derived.
• Tapioca (noun): A product, often in pearl or granular form, made from processed manioca starch.
• Manioc (noun): Another term for the cassava plant or, sometimes, the starch/flour derived from it. "Manioca" and "manioc" are often used synonymously for the starch.

Synonyms

• Cassava starch
• Tapioca starch/flour
• Cassava flour (note: sometimes indicates a slightly different product made from the whole root)

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of "manioca" is the purified starch. It is distinct from: * The fresh cassava root, which is a vegetable. * Tapioca pearls, which are a specific cooked and formed product made from manioca. * Cassava meal/flour, which may be a grittier product made from grating and drying the whole root.

Noun

1. a starch made by leaching and drying the root of the cassava plant; the source of tapioca; a staple food in the tropics