Table of contents:
- The process of making cassava tape
- Nutrition in cassava tape
- Benefits of cassava tape
- Don't eat too much fermented food
One of the popular Indonesian snacks is cassava tape. Besides being delicious, this fermented food turns out to be high in nutrients, you know! That's why cassava tape is believed to have a number of health benefits that should not be underestimated. What are you curious about? Come on, take a peek at the answer in the following review.
The process of making cassava tape
Tape is food made from fermented cassava. Cassava that is processed into tape is sweet cassava, usually white or yellow in color.
Before going through the fermentation process, first the cassava is washed and steamed until cooked. After that, sprinkle the cassava with yeast.
The fermentation process can be done by wrapping cassava in banana leaves or placing it in a special airtight container for 2-3 days. The longer the fermentation process, the softer the cassava texture will be.
The proper fermentation process will produce a sweet, slightly sour and alcohol-flavored tape. The sweet taste of tape comes from yeast which breaks down carbohydrates in cassava into simple sugars. This is what makes this food can taste sweet, even though it is not given sugar. However, some people may add a little sugar to make it taste even sweeter.
Besides being eaten directly, cassava tape can also be processed into a variety of other delicious foods. Starting from sponge, brownie, compote, pudding, to mix in fruit ice.
Nutrition in cassava tape
This snack, which is often used as a souvenir from West Java, is in fact no less nutritious than other fermented foods such as yogurt, cheese, kefir, tofu, and tempeh.
Launching the List of Indonesian Food Ingredients published by the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association (DPP PERSAGI), per 100 grams of cassava tape contains a number of nutrients which include:
- Calories: 173
- Protein: 0.5 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
- Carbs: 42.5 grams
- Calcium: 30 grams
- Phosphorus: 30 milligrams
- Water: 56 grams
Benefits of cassava tape
It is important to understand that the literature that discusses the benefits of cassava tape itself is very limited. Much further research is still needed to confirm its validity.
However, the fermentation process during the manufacture of cassava tape is alleged to have the potential to bring benefits to the body. Fermented foods can help stimulate the growth of various good bacteria (probiotics) in the intestines. Increasing the growth of good bacteria in the intestines will affect the overall health of your gut.
Apart from improving digestion, good bacteria also help in the absorption of nutrients and relieve digestive disorders such as diarrhea, gas (bloating), and constipation.
Probiotics can also help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of some infections, such as the flu.
Don't eat too much fermented food
Fermented foods do contain good bacteria that are beneficial to the body. However, eating mostly fermented foods can harm your health. The buildup of good bacteria in the body can cause your stomach to gas easily and bloating.
In addition, this snack also produces a byproduct in the form of alcohol. The alcohol content contained in cassava tape is indeed only a little. Even so, if the tape is consumed in large portions, it will certainly affect the health of your body. Eat a reasonable portion of cassava tape, neither too much nor too little.
Prevention is always better than cure, right? So, be wise in choosing the foods you will consume.
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