You probably didn’t pick up taro root or taro corns the first time you saw them, as you thought to yourself what it is, and what does taro root taste like? In that case, let us go on a discovery together and learn more about this tropical potato.
During your grocery shopping in the product aisle, chances are you have come across taro corm, the brown root-looking stem, vegetable part of taro plant (colocasia esculenta), which some also call the potato of tropics.
Through this article, you will come to know about, what taro is, what does taro root taste like? What are the health benefits of taro roots and what is taro bubble tea or taro boba tea?
Table of Content
What Is Taro Root?
Taro is native to India and South Asia. In many parts of the world including Hawaii, China, and Africa, taro corms are relied on as staple food. They are also a popular alternative to roots and tubers like plain and sweet potatoes. Taro corms usually come in two distinct shapes.
- Small and round-shaped, similar to turnips.
- Large, round, and elongated like yams.
They are brown and often have a hairy skin surface leading the Huff post to humorously call them the potato’s hairy, kind of unfortunate-looking cousin. On the inside, taro roots are typically white with a purple tint or cream color purple flecks as well.
What Does Taro Root Taste Like?
The thing is that it depends on the variety and how you prepare them. Some varieties have a plain and bland taste, while others have a more pronounced flavor. Cooked taro can have a nutty taste along the lines of water chestnut. The taste has also been described by others as similar to sweet potatoes.
When you get a flavorful bunch, you may find taro has a starchy, yet mild, sweet, and very delicious taste. You will get the most sweetness out of the purple-tinted and small varieties. If you happen to buy some very bland or mild-tasting taros you will need to mix them with more flavorful ingredients to have an enjoyable meal.
For example, you can combine taro with asparagus to make a delicious curry-flavored dish. The final texture will also depend on how you prepare your taro corms. But if you prepare it the same way you do other root vegetables, you will find the texture to be similar.
What Does Taro Milk Tea Taste Like?
Before exploring the taste of taro milk tea, let us first talk about taro bubble tea calories. Taro bubble tea has 278 calories for every 16 ounces. If we talk about the taste of taro milk tea, it tastes like sweet potato but is sweeter than that.
Taro milk tea is one of the favorite flavors at any bubble tea place. It is very rich and creamy. So, for people who ask what does taro taste like in bubble tea. It tastes like vanilla and has a very pleasant floral taste. It has a sweet and nutty texture.
It is starchy like sweet potato and is very famous in international cuisine for its grainy texture and sweet floral taste with a pretty purple color.
What Does Taro Mochi Taste Like?
Taro mu or Japanese-style taro mochi is a maltose and taro paste. It also consists of palm oil. It is quite firm and squeezy and it smells like coconut. It has a chewy and creamy bite. It is made of glutinous rice and starchy taro corm and tastes like a gooey cupcake.
What Does Taro Ice Cream Taste Like?
Taro ice cream tastes like vanilla and gives a starchy feeling on the tongue. It has a nutty texture and it also tastes like sweeter potato. It tastes sweeter than a potato because of the sugar added to ice cream. The closest flavor similar to taro ice cream is vanilla.
What Does Ube Taste Like?
Ube is a yam of purple color and is originally from the Philippines but it is not similar to taro. People often think that sweet potatoes are ube but they are not. Their outer skin is purple and they are violet inside.
It has a slight vanilla flavor and is used in ice creams, desserts, donuts, and cakes because of its sweet flavor. It is rich in antioxidants and carbohydrates but the best part is that it is not going to raise your blood sugar level as a regular potato does.
How Can You Include Taro in Your Diet?
Taro roots are quite versatile ingredients and can be used in many ways. For starters, taro can be steamed, boiled, roasted, and processed into gluten-free powder or flour for baking. Do some people also ask what does taro powder taste like? So, it tastes similar to taro and is mostly used for baking sweet bakery items.
You can substitute taro in place of things like plain and sweet potatoes, yams, rutabaga, and turnip. People also enjoy taro’s delicious flavored bubble tea, beverages, and puddings.
If you have some leftover cooked taro, you can mash it for use in a smooth or homemade vegan yogurt. If you are into gluten-free vegetable noodles and you have a spiralized setting around, you can make taro noodles too.
Craving something crunchy? Taros can also be made into delicious chips. Its versatility also extends to jellies, snacks, curries, and various desserts.
What Are the Health Benefits of Taro?
Maybe taros’ appealing nutritional profile will help you notice more when you eat them. They are an excellent food source of dietary fiber, various minerals, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Let us cover some fabulous health benefits of taro root.
Helps Reduce Diabetes Risk
Taros contain a healthy amount of fiber. This fiber can regulate the body’s insulin and blood glucose levels as well as prevent those dreaded blood sugar spikes.
Improves Digestion and Bowel Regularity
The high fiber content can help your digestive health and prevents constipation, bloating, gas and cramping by adding healthy bulk to your stools.
Protect Your Heart and Cardiovascular Health
Being a good source of potassium, taro supports a healthy heart rhythm and helps keep your blood pressure levels regulated.
Protects Against Cramps
If you are an athlete or participate in lengthy strenuous activities and you are not getting enough potassium from your diet, it can lead to muscle cramps. As you know, taros supply a nice quantity of potassium, so you won’t need to worry so much about this.
Supports Healthy Skin
Taro corms are also a good source of vitamin A and E, both of which are important nutrients for skin health. Taro helps keep your skin hydrated.
Protects Your Visual Health
Some of the antioxidants in taro include beta carotene, which can help you maintain overall eye health and reduce the risk of problems like muscular degeneration, so if you are out of carrots, taros can save the day.
The Bottom Line
So, what does taro taste like? The answer is, its taste is very much similar to sweet potato. It has so many health benefits and it can be cooked in so many different versatility versions. You might like it for its versatility and a rich sweet taste and grainy texture.
So if you have been ignoring taro roots till now, it’s time to grab those nutritious tubers, put them in your cart and enjoy the health benefits of this pretty purple vegetable.
FAQs
How would you describe the taste of taro?
Taro tastes like a sweet potato but it is sweeter than potatoes. It is starchy with a nutty texture.
What tastes similar to taro?
Starchy food like sweet potato tastes similar to taro. It tastes like vanilla in ice creams and bubble tea.
Is taro sweet?
Taro is sweet but sometimes it tastes bland so in that case, you can cook it with other tasty vegetables.
Does taro taste like coconut?
Yes, taro with milk, such as in bubble tea, sometimes tastes like coconut. It is recognized for its purple color.
