Eddoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eddoe |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Colocasia
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| Species: |
antiquorum
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Eddoe or eddo is a tropical vegetable. It is very similar to taro (also known as dasheen). People mostly eat the thick, underground stems of the eddoe plant. These stems are called corms. Most types of eddoe have a slightly sharp taste. This taste goes away when they are cooked carefully. You can also cook and eat the young leaves. However, unlike taro leaves, eddoe leaves also have a somewhat sharp taste.
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What Does the Name "Eddoe" Mean?
The English word 'eddo' comes from the Akan language. This language is spoken in parts of West Africa. It is similar to words like o1de3 in Twi and o1do3 in Fante. Both of these words mean "yam."
Where Do Eddoes Come From?
Eddoes seem to have first been grown as a crop in China and Japan. From there, they were brought to the West Indies. This is why they are sometimes called "Chinese eddoes" in that region.
Eddoes grow best in rich soil that drains water well. However, they are quite tough plants. They can also grow in poorer soil. They can even grow in drier places and cooler temperatures than taro plants.
Other Names for Eddoe
In some Spanish-speaking areas, eddoes are sometimes called malangas. But this name is also used for other plants in the same family. A more specific Spanish name is yautias.
In Portuguese, eddoes are part of a general group called cará or inhame. This group includes taro and other root vegetables. Eddoes are the most common type of inhames/carás eaten in states like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. In some parts of Northeastern Brazil, they might even be called batata, which literally means "potato."
How to Eat Eddoes
Eddoes are grown in many tropical countries around the world. People eat their leaves and roots. When raw, the leaves can have a sharp taste. But if you boil them and change the water, they lose this taste. Then you can eat them like spinach. Adding sour fruits can also help remove the sharp taste.
The roots, or corms, also need to be cooked well. This removes their natural sharp taste. People often prefer to eat cooked taro (which is similar to eddoe) when it's cold. But many Europeans like it hot, especially if it's roasted. There are many different types of eddoes. Some are better for making puddings, others for bread, or simply for boiling or baking.
What About Eddoe's Family Tree?
Long ago, a scientist named Carl Linnaeus described two different plants. These plants are now known as Colocasia esculenta and Colocasia antiquorum. Many people call these plants by names like eddoes, dasheen, or taro.
However, many scientists today believe that all these plants are actually just one single species. This species can look very different depending on where it grows. The correct scientific name for this single species is Colocasia esculenta.
See also
In Spanish: Eddo para niños
