Manioc (also known as cassava, yuca, or mandioca) is a root vegetable native to the Amazon Rainforest region of South America. The manioc plant is the third-largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world, after maize and rice, and is a major staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Cassava is one of the most drought-tolerant crops and can thrive in poor, acidic soils where other crops fail.
Manioc consists of two primary varieties: Sweet Cassava and Bitter Cassava. The edible parts are the roots and leaves, which are consumed fried, baked, boiled, or in the form of starch-based products like flour, tapioca, and cassava bread. The bitter variety is highly toxic due to its levels of cyanide-releasing compounds, necessitating careful processing before consumption.
Indigenous South American peoples have cultivated manioc for thousands of years, developing methods to reduce its toxicity and prepare it for consumption. The name "manioc" originates from the Tupi-Guarani language group from present-day Brazil, which demonstrates the plant's longstanding importance in the region. Later, as European explorers and traders encountered manioc, they recognized its potential and began to cultivate, breed, and trade it on a vast scale.
During the European Age of Discovery, manioc emerged as an important food source for sailors, colonists, and indigenous peoples alike. European explorers encountered manioc when they made contact with South American indigenous tribes and quickly appreciated its advantages, as it could withstand long voyages at sea without spoiling.
Manioc was thus globalized during this period, becoming an important trade good between the Old and New Worlds and forming the basis of a thriving transatlantic agricultural economy. Portuguese and Spanish explorers, in particular, focused on manioc as a means to sustain their newfound colonies and as a viable export to European markets.
European explorers and settlers in the Americas began selectively breeding manioc for superior varieties. This led to the creation of numerous cultivars that varied in size, shape, taste, toxicity levels, and texture, with some adaptable to diverse climates and others preferred for specific end-uses such as flour, starch, or cassava beer.
Additionally, European advances in agriculture, mechanics, and chemistry enabled the development of more efficient and scalable processing methods for manioc. These innovations made it easier to extract the root's juice and starch and remove its toxic compounds, thus expanding its availability to populations around the globe.
During the age of colonization, the establishment of extensive manioc plantations was a major focus of European powers such as the Portuguese Empire, Spanish Empire, British Empire, and French Empire. Cassava was used as a staple food for European settlers and enslaved workers, who found it easier to cultivate than other staples such as maize.
Demand for manioc during this time period facilitated economic and political relationships between European powers and New World colonies, while also propelling the transatlantic slave trade and the introduction of African cassava varieties to the Americas. Ultimately, manioc's incorporation into the economies of both the Old and New Worlds helped reshape the agricultural landscape and establish African and indigenous farming practices in the Americas.
Throughout history, manioc has played a significant role in various wars and conflicts. Manioc farms and processing plants have often been targeted or seized by rival factions due to the crucial role they play in supplying food and resources. Cassava flour has also at times served as an alternative currency, further increasing manioc's importance as a strategic commodity.
For example, during the Revolutionary War (Manaerth), manioc's influence was seen as both British and American, French, and Spanish colonists relied on cassava to feed their troops and sustain their war efforts. Additionally, manioc's value as a trade good incentivized military campaigns and indigenous alliances, further bolstering the plant's significance.
Today, manioc remains a global staple and vital crop for many parts of the world. The global manioc trade has grown dramatically, with cassava products widely consumed in both developed and developing countries. Major producers include Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, China, Congo, and Ghana.
Cassava is currently utilized in a diverse range of applications, from food products such as biscuits, pellets, and muesli to biofuel production and industrial, starch, and feed products. In its various forms, manioc continues to have significant cultural, economic, and political impacts in regions and countries where it is grown and traded.
