Definition

Noun: 1. A tropical plant (Manihot esculenta) cultivated for its starchy, tuberous roots: The "tapioca plant" is another name for the cassava plant. It is a woody shrub with large, palmate leaves. Its primary value lies in its long, edible roots, which are a major source of carbohydrates. The roots are processed to produce food staples like tapioca pearls and cassava flour, and the plant is also used to make traditional beverages.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The farmer cultivated a field of tapioca plants for harvest.
  • Tapioca, a common pudding ingredient, is derived from the roots of the tapioca plant.
  • In some regions, the stems of the tapioca plant are used in the preparation of local drinks.

Advanced Usage

• The term "tapioca plant" specifically highlights the plant's role as the source of tapioca, which is the starch extracted from its roots. While "cassava" is the more general name for the plant and its root, "tapioca plant" emphasizes this particular culinary product.

Variants and Related Words

• Cassava (n): The more common general name for the same plant ().
• Manioc (n): Another synonym for cassava or the tapioca plant.
• Yuca (n): A common name for the plant, especially in Spanish-speaking regions (note: this is different from the ornamental plant ).

Synonyms

• Cassava
• Manioc
• Yuca (in culinary contexts)

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Tapioca starch: The pure starch extracted from the root.
• Tapioca pearls: The small, often white or black, spheres made from the starch, used in desserts and bubble tea.

Noun

1. cassava with long tuberous edible roots and soft brittle stems; used especially to make cassiri (an intoxicating drink) and tapioca