Arvi
Arvi also called Taro root are root tubers that can sometimes weigh as much as 4 to 5 pounds. The tubers are hairy and have circles running across the skin. The root tubers exist in different color varieties namely white, gray or pinkish brown to bluish purple. Arvi is mainly grown in Africa and is native to East Asia. It is important to note that Arvi should not be eaten raw. This is because the root tubers are lying poisonous and contain a lot of oxalic acid. A fun fact is that the Taro root is among the oldest cultivated plants.
How does Arvi grow?
The tubers grow mainly in Asia and Africa. It is a perennial to about 2 feet tall with a tuberous, upright rhizome that is covered at the top with ring-shaped leaf scars. In most cases, only the large green leaves protrude above the ground or water. The flowers of the plant are quite small, averaging 4-20 cm and do not always bloom.
Where can you buy Arvi?
You can buy Arvi in the Netherlands mainly in the Surinamese, Chinese and Turkish toko’s/supermarkets. Because the tuber belongs to the vegetable category, you can often find it on the vegetable shelf of the relevant toko or supermarket.
The taste
There are many different varieties of Taro root but the taste is starchy and similar to potato. The difference in taste is that the Taro root takes on a cozier, richer and more complex flavor compared to the potato. Because the Arvi is a good seasoning, they are often used as flavoring in curries or sauces.
Nutritional value
Arvi is very healthy and contains a lot of important nutrients like fiber, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and phosphorus. This makes it clear that the Arvi is especially rich in minerals. Besides minerals, the tuber also contains a lot of vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, E and B6. In addition, the taro root is healthy for the skin, works against cardiovascular diseases and is very good for digestion.
Recipes
The Arvi is very healthy and a tasty seasoning in a lot of dishes. This makes the tuber very versatile in the kitchen, allowing the Taro root to be incorporated into a lot of dishes. Below we highlight 5 dishes:
- Arvi chips
- Taro root pancake
- Taro root cake
- Palusami
- Taro root soup
Questions about Arvi?
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