“MANDIOCA” = “CASSAVA” = “MANIHOT ESCULENTA”, also called “YUCA” or “MANIOC”, is a woody shrub of the “EUPHORBIACEAE” (spurge family) native to South america. “MANDIOCA” is the third-largest source of carbohydrates for meals in the world. The “MANDIOCA” root is long and tapered, with a firm homogeneous flesh encased in a detachable rind, about 1mm thick, rough and brown on the outside. Commercial varieties can be 5 to 10 cm in diameter at the top, and around 15 cm to 30 cm long. A woody cordon runs along the root's axis. The flesh can be chalk-white or yellowish. “MANDIOCA” roots are very rich in starch, and contain significant amounts of calcium (50 mg/100g), phosphorus (40 mg/100g) and vitamin C (25 mg/100g). However, they are poor in protein and other nutrients. In contrast, cassava leaves are a good source of protein and rich in the amino acid lysine, though deficient in methionine and possibly triptophan. Wild populations of M. esculenta subspecies FLABELLIFOLIA, shown to be the progenitor of domesticated cassava, are centered in west-central Brazil where it was likely first domesticated no more than 10,000 years BP. Forms of the modern domesticated species can be found growing in the wild in the south of Brazil. “MANDIOCA” is sometimes described as the ‘bread of the tropics'. “MANDIOCA” can be cooked in various ways. The soft-boiled root has a delicate flavor and can replace boiled potatoes in many uses: as an accompaniment for meat dishes, or made into purées, dumplings, soups, stews, gravies, etc. The Indian tribes in northern Brazil and Surinam make a beverage called “SAKURÁ” with the sweet manioc variety of cassava named YUCA. “MANDIOCA” is harvested by hand by raising the lower part of the stem and pulling the roots out of the ground, then removing them from the base of the plant. The upper parts of the stems with the leaves are plucked off before harvest. “MANDIOCA” is propagated by cutting the stem into sections of approximately 15 cm, these being planted prior to the wet season. Visit the PANTANAL OF MS…