Cassava flour: perfect for celiacs and gluten-free diets
Are you on a gluten free diet? Or do you have a friend or family member who is? If so, you’ll want to check out cassava flour! Made from the root vegetable cassava, cassava flour is perfect for celiacs and people with gluten sensitivities. It’s also high in fiber and contains minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. You can use cassava flour in place of wheat flour in most recipes, so give it a try!
What is cassava flour and where does it come from?
Cassava flour is a gluten-free, all-purpose alternative to wheat or wheat-based flour. Sometimes referred to as yuca flour, cassava is derived from the cassava root and is commonly used in South American cultures.
The Yuca root is peeled and cleaned in preparation for grinding. The peel can also be used to make a tapioca starch drink commonly consumed in South America called “chicha de yuca”, tapioca flour can also be made from the extract.
How is cassava flour made?
In order to make cassava flour, the root of the cassava plant is peeled and dried, then ground into a fine powder. This process can be done by hand or using equipment like a rolling pin or blender. After this, the cassava flour is sifted in order to remove any lumps and dried once more. Finally, the coarse cassava flour is ground once more, usually with a grain mill to produce finer grinds.
The result is a fine, powdery gluten free flour.
What are the benefits of using cassava flour over other gluten-free flours on the market today?
Cassava flour is much more nutritious than many other gluten-free flours (almond flour, coconut flour, and other wheat flour). The root vegetable contains important vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and potassium. It also contains antioxidants that protect against cancer and fight free radicals in the body.
Though it can be a bit pricier than other flours, one bag of cassava flour is typically enough to make several batches of baked goods like pizza dough- so the price per batch is reasonable when you consider how many batches can be made from just one bag!
What are some recipes that can be made with cassava flour?
Some popular recipes that can be made with cassava flour include gluten-free pizza dough, scones, crackers, and even pancakes! Cassava flour tortillas are also common in South American cultures, though they are usually made fresh rather than sold pre-made.
Cassava tortillas are as good as the ones made with wheat flour and can be used as wraps for sandwiches or traditional Mexican tacos.
Is cassava flour a good choice for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities?
Cassava flour is an excellent choice for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities since it does not contain the harmful proteins that wheat, rye, and barley do.
People who are allergic to gluten can use cassava flour to make all of their favorite baked goods that usually require wheat flour (including cakes, cookies, bread, bagels, cakes, and more!)
Are there any risks associated with eating cassava flour?
Though it’s a root vegetable, cassava can still cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. This is usually due to the high starch content found in the roots- this means that for some people, eating too much cassava flour can cause a problem when consumed in excess.
Like with any other food, when eating cassava flour in moderation, there is no risk of adverse effects.
Where can you buy cassava flour?
You can buy cassava flour online at Su Sabor, a Colombian products distributor where you can find all types of Colombian foods and ingredients.
If you are going to buy cassava flour online, make sure that you get real cassava flour and not tapioca starch! Tapioca is made from the same root but it is ground finer than yuca or cassava flour.
You can find cassava flour at our website (susabor.net) or buy it directly from Amazon if you want to.
