Tapioca, commonly used in puddings and as a thickener, is made from cassava starch. While tapioca is the extracted starch, cassava flour is made from the entire root. Recently, cassava flour has become popular among people wanting to avoid grains but continue enjoying baked goods.

What plant is tapioca made from?

The cassava plant, or manioc, is native to the West Indies and to South America, where its roots are ground into meal and then baked into thin cakes. Tapioca became a common Asian food after the cassava was introduced into that part of the world during the 19th century.

Can I use tapioca instead of cassava?

In most recipes, a person can substitute tapioca flour directly for cassava flour. However, due to its higher fiber content, cassava flour has more thickening power. Therefore, when thickening, a person should use slightly less cassava flour than they would tapioca flour.