taro
Starchy Pacific staple
Taro is a tropical plant cultivated for its starchy, edible root.
The corm is a dietary staple across Pacific Islands, Asia, and Africa, prepared by boiling, steaming, or pounding into paste.
In Hawaii, mashed taro becomes poi.
Taro root has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and must be cooked to neutralize irritating compounds.
The large heart-shaped leaves are also eaten.
Mashed taro root
- luauTraditional island celebration
- chipsThin fried slices
- frittersFried batter with filling
- bubble teaTea with chewy tapioca
callaloo · dasheen · colocasia · curry · stew · mashed · steamed · fried
Bulblike underground stem base
- tuberUnderground nutrient reservoir
- rhizomeHorizontal underground plant stem
- petioleA leaf's supporting stem
- leafPlant's photosynthetic organ
elephant ear · perennial · tropical · stolons · rootstock · germination · propagation · cultivar
Flooded rice-growing field
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- drylandArid agricultural zone
- cormBulblike underground stem base
- propagationAct of spreading widely
harvest · yield · irrigation · planting · farmers · fieldwork · horticulture · terraces
Fragrant herb, pale violet
- violetSmall five-petaled wildflower
- ubePurple-fleshed tropical tuber
- bobaTapioca pearl beverage
- dessertSweet course after dinner
ice cream · mochi · pastry · swirl · vibrant · hue · pigment · natural
From the 50th state
- PolynesianOf Pacific island peoples
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- creationMaking something exist
- sacredWorthy of reverence
mana · genealogy · elder brother · origin · cosmogony · tradition · spiritual · ceremony
Plant-based digestive aid
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
vitamins · low-glycemic · antioxidants · manganese · phosphorus · iron · copper · folate
poi
Mashed taro root
bubble tea · callaloo · dasheen · colocasia · curry · stew · mashed · steamed · fried · dessert
corm
Bulblike underground stem base
- tuberUnderground nutrient reservoir
- rhizomeHorizontal underground plant stem
- petioleA leaf's supporting stem
leaf · elephant ear · perennial · tropical · stolons · rootstock · germination · propagation · cultivar · ornamental
paddy
Flooded rice-growing field
propagation · harvest · yield · irrigation · planting · farmers · fieldwork · horticulture · terraces · flooding
lavender
Fragrant herb, pale violet
dessert · ice cream · mochi · pastry · swirl · vibrant · hue · pigment · natural · coloring
Hawaiian
From the 50th state
- PolynesianOf Pacific island peoples
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- creationMaking something exist
sacred · mana · genealogy · elder brother · origin · cosmogony · tradition · spiritual · ceremony · offerings
fiber
Plant-based digestive aid
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
carbohydrates · vitamins · low-glycemic · antioxidants · manganese · phosphorus · iron · copper · folate · zinc
- MicronesiaMicronesia, Palau, Guam, Saipan, Marshall Islands
- Papua Highlandsbride price, traditional dress, face paint, grass skirts, clans
- aquatic aroidsarum, caladium, colocasia, elephant ear, peace lily
- elephant earscolocasia, caladium
- plant foodspotatoes, garlic, bananas, avocado, beans
- vegetablesbroccoli, carrots, carrot, potato, cucumber
- taro chipsFried tropical tuber slices
- taro milk teaBeverage from starchy tuber
- taro ballsBoiled root starch spheres
- taro leavesEdible foliage of tropical tuber