Cassava, an edible tuberous root often made into flour, contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can result in fatal cyanide poisoning

How do you remove cyanide from cassava root?

Pounding or crushing cassava leaves and then boiling them in water is an efficient process for removal of cyanogens. Indeed, about 97% of cyanogenic glucosides are removed and cyanohydrin and free cyanide are completely removed (Nambisan 1994).

How much cassava is cyanide?

Sweet cassava roots contain less than 50 mg per kilogram hydrogen cyanide on fresh weight basis, whereas that of the bitter variety may contain up to 400 mg per kilogram. Sweet cassava roots can generally be made safe to eat by peeling and thorough cooking.