What Does Taro Taste Like?

Taro is described as “the potato of the tropics”, especially in India and Southeast Asia. Have you ever seen or eaten taro before? What does taro taste like?

Does the taro have any good benefits for your health and how to cook it properly? If you need answers to these questions, please keep reading.

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First, Learn What Taro Is

Taro (or also called Colocasia esculenta) is a perennial plant of the Araceae family, which is known for its frilly and heart-shaped leaves. You can find many kinds of taro as well as colors.

Some might be small, round, hairy, and elongated with pure white or pale purple or ivory color with flecks. On the other hand, its brown skin is quite furry that can somewhat irritate your skin.

It’s believed to be native to Southeast Asia, India, and some flooded regions. Although both roots and leaves are eatable, don’t eat raw because they contain calcium oxalate, a toxin for your kidneys.

Just like potatoes, taros can be softened via boiling, steaming or simmering. Furthermore, its beloved taste can be used in numerous dishes, from main entrees to desserts.

It’s Time To Discover What Does Taro Taste Like

When eaten as a vegetable, taro tastes similar to plain or sweet potatoes. Meanwhile, the purple taro brings a light sweet flavor. When enjoyed in a modern application like icy beverages, its flavor is richer, thicker, sweeter and more delicious.

See also: What Do Capers Taste Like And How Are They Used?

If examining its texture, taros are rather similar to other root crops, depending on how it’s being prepared.

For instance, if the taro is simmered or steamed, its flesh will become soft but dry and firm. In case you boil it, the flesh might be slimy.

Since “the potato of the tropics” can be mixed well with other foods, strong-flavored ingredients, or other savory, lots of countries use it as the daily and basic food for cooking.

Does Eating Taro Bring Any Benefits For Your Health?

The taro root is rich in good nutrients such as iron, fiber, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and copper. Moreover, it holds a great amount of vitamin A, B6, C, E, and antioxidants.

Maybe, the most outstanding quality is its high fiber content, which is believed to be necessary to your digestive health. And getting enough fiber helps to prevent bloating, indigestion, constipation, and cramp as well.

Make sure you don’t forget to eat the taro leaves since they are also rich in a variety of nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, C, fiber, protein, calcium, folate, thiamin, and so on. And here are some health benefits that you can receive from the taro.

• Lessen the risk of diabetes – Thanks to the dietary fiber in taro, you can control the amount of glucose and insulin in the body and prevent the blood sugar.
• Enhance vision – With both beta-carotene and antioxidants cryptoxanthin, they help to reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Maintain the immunity – Eating the taro will give you a high amount of vitamin C that can bolster your immune system, produce many white blood cells and defend your body from pathogenic organisms.
• Keep your skin healthy – Thanks to both vitamins A and E in taro, you can diminish wrinkles and blemishes to get a healthy complexion.
• Prevent the risk of heart – Adding taro will help you absorb the potassium that is vital to maintaining the cardiovascular function. It assists to regulate your heartbeat, keep blood pressure in check and diminish stress on the arteries.

Things To Notice When Preparing Taro

Before finding a healthy menu from the taro, please take note of a couple of important things below.

• Although the benefits of the taro are clear, its value depends on the use. When cooked, it’s required to clean the skin, remove rotten parts, and take the sprouts away.
• Make sure you peel the taro’s skin before cooking, boiling or frying.
• But avoid peeling too much skin because you will loss the precious nutrition that only exists near to its skin.
• If you have a sensitive skin, be careful when holding the taro because it sometimes makes you itchy, irritated or rash. Remember to wear gloves when peeling to solve this problem.

Now Is The Cooking Time

Try checking out two recipes below to make your snack time more yummy and healthy. 

Baked Taro Chips

Step 1 – Get one large taro, peel and slice it with the best santoku knife. Quarter-inch thick slices will be perfect to bake.

Step 2 – Preheat the oven to 400⁰F.

Step 3 – Sweep coconut oil on each side of the taro slices.

Step 4 – Lay them on a non-stick baking sheet.

Step 5 – Gently sprinkle salt on the slices and then put in the oven.

Step 6 – Bake about 10 minutes for each side or until they turn into the golden crisp.

Step 7 – Take them out and serve.

Taro Bubble Tea

Step 1 – Please prepare 2 ounces of taro powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 5 ounces milk, 1 ½ cup ice, and ½ cup tapioca pearls.

Step 2 – Pour 5 cups water in a pot and bring to the boil.

Step 3 – Then add the tapioca pearls, sugar into the pot and stir occasionally for 5 minutes.

Step 4 – Drain and rinse the pearls with cold water.

Step 5 – Put 2 scoops taro powder, milk, and ice in the blender and blend.

Step 6 – Add the pearls in your cup and pour the mixture on top.

Step 7 – Serve and enjoy.

This video below will give you a better look on how to make taro bubble tea

Final Thoughts

Not only is taro one of the most nutritious root crops but also cheap and can be found everywhere. You should try it now. Who knows, you will soon add this wonderful vegetable in your kitchen and versatile it with different delicious dishes.

So, there is no more question of what does taro taste like and its benefits for your health, right? What you should do right now is to go to the nearest supermarket and choose the nice taros for your next meal.

And don’t forget to share with us your own experience or your new recipes. We’re waiting to hear interesting comments from you.