Taro

Taro is a starch-rich, globular fleshy taproot of aroid family plants. Its underground root, known as a corm, is one of the traditional edible root vegetables to a greater parts Asia, Pacific islands, West Africa, and Amazonian regions of South America. Some of the common names are cocoyam, dasheen, Colocasia, elephant’s ear plant, amadumbe, kalo, etc.

Nutrition:  Taro or dasheen roots carry more calories than potatoes. 100 grams of root provides 112 calories. Their calorie value chiefly comes from complex carbohydrates, amylose, and amylopectin. However, they are minor source of fats and protein than in cereals and pulses. Their protein levels can be comparable to that of other tropical food sources like yam, cassava, potato, plantain, etc. The corms, however, are free from gluten protein. They carry high-quality phytonutrient profile comprising of dietary fiber, and antioxidants in addition to moderate proportions of minerals, and vitamins. Taro is one of the finest sources dietary fibers; 100 g flesh provides 4.1 g or 11% of daily requirement of dietary fiber. Together with slow digesting complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of fiber in the food help gradual rise in blood sugar levels.