The Brazilian Amazon- Manioc

Manioc, also called yuca or cassava is a plant species native to the Amazon.

Most of the communities I visit in the countryside or in the forest grow manioc, but I also hear it is cultivated worldwide. It is a staple food and also used as a main ingredient in Brazilian culinary: from cake to hot sauce.

Tapioca is a starch that comes from the root of the plant, and is also the name of one of my favorite dishes here. After a process of turning manioc into a flour, it gets sprinkled onto a very hot pan and turned into a kind of tortilla.

One can add toppings onto it like butter, cheese, shredded beef, chocolate, condensed milk and more.

My favorite place is a small hut by the water called Barraca da Tapioca. It is a mother and daughter operation and a must when you come to Alter do Chão.