Starches

Taro, what is it?

What is taro? Taro is an underground vegetable that comes from a perennial plant scientifically known as Colocasia esculenta. The plant’s root is not actually a root, but a corm or tuber—a kind of swollen underground stem surrounded by scales. This cylindrical or spherical corm has a brown, hairy skin […]

Kuzu, what is it?

Kuzu, this plant-based binder, is very well known in Japan! It is highly valued there for its gelling and smoothing properties that are attributed to traditional sauces such as yakitori sauce, soups and desserts. What is kuzu?  ​​Kuzu, or kudzu, comes from the Asian climbing plant Pueraria montana. Known for […]

Galangal: What Is It?

Galangal, also called galanga, is the citrusy cousin of ginger. This aromatic rhizome is widely used in Asian, South Asian and Indian cooking and is especially popular in Indonesian cuisine and Thai cuisine. It is peppery and spicy, with a hint of pine. Although harder to find than ginger, galangal […]

Arrowroot: What Is It?

Arrowroot is a flavorless white powder commonly used to thicken sauces, soups, and dishes such as fruit pie fillings. Made from starch extracted from various tropical tubers, including Maranta arundinacea, arrowroot powder is similar to cornstarch and offers twice the thickening power of wheat flour. It is neutral in taste […]

What Is Lotus Root?

What Is Lotus Root? Lotus root is an ingredient widely used in Chinese cuisine, typically categorized as a vegetable. In fact, it’s the stem that connects the lotus flower on the surface to the bottom of ponds and rivers. The root is very thick and composed of segments. Visually, it […]