"tapioca pudding" news and stories

Happy National Tapioca Pudding Day!

Like tofu, tapioca -- that starchy material extracted from yuca root -- is another acquired taste in terms of texture. Available as granules, pellets, flakes, starch or flour, tapioca is most popularly served in pearl form, used predominantly in puddings, and is sold as both instant mixes and prepackaged pudding flavors.

After taking off in Southeast Asia some 15 years ago, tapioca has swept the country as the trendy "bubble" or "boba" tea over the last few years. Bubble tea is but a small niche though: Tapioca is a versatile cooking ingredient. Take example from La Tartine Gourmande's Coconut Tapioca with Berry Compote, Grapefruit and Crumble (at left) for inspiration.

How do you use or enjoy your tapioca? Share tips in the comments!

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Gah. Tapioca Pudding. My mom used to love this stuff, but to me it just looks like something a baby might eat -- or what a baby might eat and then spit out.

But, hey, a lot of people like it, so here are some recipes from Food Network and AllRecipes. Here's a recipe for Apple Tapioca Pudding, and here's one for Caramel Tapioca. Maybe I'll like these recipes better, since the apple and caramel will cover up the taste a bit.

("National Tapioca Pudding Day" also just happens to be the name of an episode of the '80s cartoon Garfield & Friends.)