bitter cassava

Manihot esculenta 'Variegata'

Bitter Cassava (Manihot esculenta 'Variegata') is an edible root vegetable native to Central and South America. It grows to about 3-5 feet in height and has persistent, variegated green and white leaves. The long, tuberous, starchy roots vary in colour from white to yellow or even purple. Bitter Cassava makes a good substitute for potatoes in many dishes and can be roasted, mashed, or boiled and used in soups, stews, and curries. Its leaves can also be eaten. As its name implies, this variety of cassava is bitter due to increased levels of toxic cyanogenic glucosides. Before eating, it should be soaked, peeled, and cooked to properly remove the toxins.