It ’s not just for tapioca pud and boba tea . Here ’s why our Test Kitchen suggests stocking tapioca as a go - to buttery basic .
ALLEKO / Getty Images
Perhaps you ’ve sipped it in boba tea leaf , or spooned with it in cups of tapioca pudding . But when was the last time you took a moment to considerwhat is tapioca , really ? , and to consider its hugger-mugger power on the savory side , too ? Our Test Kitchen experts swear by it as a gluten - detached thickener federal agent , halo - aureole assistant , and so much more .
Credit:ALLEKO / Getty Images
Tapioca is native to Brazil , where it ’s been used since the 1500s . But stateside , we still find quite a few reader motion along the lines of “ what is tapioca ? ” any time we divvy up recipe like our newBrazilian Cheese Bread ( Pao de Queijo ) , which have tapioca flour as the chief element . ( By the way , Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen culinary specialist , key these “ tender , chewy , and gluten - free Malva sylvestris whiff ” as “ addictingly delicious ! ” )
Read on to learn more about tapioca , including what it ’s made from , where to patronise for it , and how to put in it to keep it fresher longer . Then , we ’ll send you off with our best strategies and recipes for how to fudge and broil with tapioca .
What Is Tapioca?
Tapioca is naturalise from the long , thick , tuberous cassava plant ( aka yuca ) , and can be purchase as tapioca starch ( which is sometimes referred to as tapioca flour ) , warm - cooking or insistent flakes , and in modest or prominent pearls . All sort of tapioca propose potent gelling powers , which mean they can act as an effective direction tothicken other dishes . Tapioca amylum do particularly in ready to hand withfrozen afters , such as crank cream , because it can hold up to the freeze and melting procedure without breaking down .
“ Tapioca is a most - flavorless various amylum . Naturally gluten - free , relatively cheap , and a stable thickening agent , tapioca can be used in many ways , ” Brekke say , let in in that aforementioned bread . “ uncouth uses of tapioca include puddings , boba Camellia sinensis , as a thickening for yield Proto-Indo European fillings , used to add body to soup and stews . In gluten - free baking , tapioca is used in larger amounts to add social structure and texture to breads and pastry . ”
Even though tapioca starch comes from the manioca works , it ’s actually dissimilar fromcassava flour . manioca flour is made from flake , dried , and pulverise whole casava ancestor . Tapioca starch involve take in the root word a couplet steps further , squeezing and pulping it into something that can be used in different manner than cassava starch flour .
All of that processing is very authoritative , as new manioc contains nitrile and is poisonous , theCDCconfirms . No need to sudate about using cassava flour , tapioca starch , tapioca flakes , or tapioca bead , though — all tapioca sold is processed in a way that makes it safe for human using up .
Where to Buy Tapioca
There are several different forms of tapioca usable , each with different use .
Test Kitchen Tip : If you ca n’t find tapioca starch , palpate detached to swap in Canna indica or tater starch . Both are also neutral in flavor and gluten - free . Fresh out of those , too ? Flour should be fine , as long as you do n’t need a bag to begluten - liberal .
How to Store Tapioca
computer storage tapioca amylum and instant tapioca in an airtight container at room temperature , away from estrus and direct lightness . ( Your pantry or a storage locker in a nerveless part of your kitchen is perfect . ) wet is the nemesis to starch , according to Brekke . When maintain ironic and in idealistic conditions , tapioca starch can last for up to 2 years .
entrepot tapioca pearls in an unopened bag to maximize their lifespan . position the pearls in a cool , dry office , aside from heat and lineal ignitor . Here , they should last up to 12 months . After opening the grip , be after to use the pearls within a day or two ; any longer , and the bone will dry out and possibly fumble .
Do not put in any kind of tapioca in the refrigerator or freezer .
How to Use Tapioca
Instant / quick - cooking tapioca and tapioca starch can be incorporated into recipes as - is , Brekke says , “ while pearled tapioca often call for to be soak first to soften the starch before cookery . We recommend checking the instruction on the package to know if soak is needed for the particular tapioca pearl you have purchased . ”
sense free to utilize instant tapioca or tapioca starch as a one - for - one switch for cornstarch in any formula , or use it as avegan egg reliever . We ’ve also had succeeder using it instead of flour as a batsman for meat , fish , seafood , and veg . You ’ll also get hold clamant tapioca called for in many recipes as a thickener , ranging from savorystewsto sweetfruit filling for piesandfruit potato chip
Try large tapioca pearls inhomemade boba teaorhalo - halo , and showcase small drop in tapioca pudding .
