Where Is Tapioca Grown?

This plant is native to much of South America and the Caribbean, but it is grown worldwide today. The world's main producers of the plant are Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand. It goes by many different names around the world. In the United States, it's commonly called cassava, yucca, or simply the tapioca plant.

Why is tapioca bad for you?

Due to its lack of protein and nutrients, tapioca is nutritionally inferior to most grains and flours ( 1 ). In fact, tapioca can be considered a source of “empty” calories, since it provides energy but almost no essential nutrients.

What are the balls in tapioca pudding?

Looking at a tapioca pearl, you may think, “What are these made out of?” These white little balls that give tapioca pudding its signature texture actually come from the starch of the cassava root, which is grown in the tropics. After this starch is extracted, it's formed into little pearls.