How to Make Tapioca

How to Make Tapioca: Easy Recipe, Origin, and BenefitsThe tapioca is a versatile, gluten-free ingredient with great properties that has become popular in desserts, drinks, and savory dishes. If you want to know how to make tapioca to prepare that delicious creamy dessert, here we explain it to you step by step. You can also read: Coconut and Mango TapiocaWhat is Tapioca?Tapioca is the starch extracted from the root of cassava or manioc, a type of tuber. It is processed and sold in the form of pearls for desserts and drinks or in flour or starch to make gluten-free bread. History and Origin of TapiocaAccording to experts, tapioca has been consumed for thousands of years in Central and South America, and later reached the Caribbean. Today, tapioca has become a trendy ingredient, as it is used in desserts and drinks like bubble tea, also known as boba. Benefits of Consuming TapiocaGluten-free: tapioca is ideal for people with celiac disease, as it can be used to make desserts, bread, crepes, and more.Source of energy: because it contains a large amount of carbohydrates, it is ideal for those who exercise a lot.Easy digestion: thanks to its fiber content, it is easy to digest.Provides nutrients: tapioca contains vitamins B and C, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus.As you can see, tapioca is a very versatile natural ingredient, full of health benefits and very delicious. Now we tell you how to prepare tapioca so you can cook it at home!See more: Mango Jelly with Tapioca and Coconut MilkHow to Make TapiocaThe most popular way to make tapioca is by cooking it with milk and sugar to obtain a sweet and creamy dessert, similar to rice pudding. Ingredients:1/2 cup of tapioca pearls2 cups of water1 can of evaporated milk¼ can of condensed milk1 cinnamon stickPreparation:Soak the tapioca in hot water for 30 minutes and drain.Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.Add the tapioca and cook over high heat for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. If necessary, add more water gradually.Reduce the heat to medium-low.Incorporate the evaporated milk and condensed milk.Add the cinnamon.Continue cooking and mixing for 10 to 15 more minutes or until the dessert thickens slightly and the tapioca is fully cooked and transparent.Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon, and let it cool.Serve and garnish with cinnamon powder, fruit, or grated coconut.Now that you know how to make tapioca, feel free to prepare it and make yourself a creamy dessert or a homemade bubble tea. Let us know if you like tapioca and what you are going to prepare with this ancestral ingredient! Keep reading: Marzipan Drink with Tapioca Pearls