Po'e facts for kids
- Samoan poi, which is a creamy dessert created by blending mashed ripe bananas with coconut cream
- Poi, a starchy paste eaten in Eastern Polynesia
| Alternative names | Poke |
|---|---|
| Type | Pudding |
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Polynesia |
| Region or state | Cook Islands, Easter Island, French Polynesia |
| Main ingredients | Fruit purée, starch, coconut cream |
Po‘e (pronounced "Poh-eh") or poke (pronounced "Poh-keh") is a delicious pudding from the islands of Polynesia. People usually eat it as a dessert after their main meal.
Where the Name Comes From
The word po'e comes from the Tahitian language. It originally came from an older Polynesian word, poke. This word meant "to mix" or "to knead".
Today, it is still called poke in most Polynesian languages. However, in the Tahitian language and on the island of Raivavae, the "k" sound changed. It became a glottal stop, which is like a tiny pause in your throat. This is why it is written with an apostrophe (').
How Po'e is Made
Long ago, po'e was made in a special way. First, people would cook and mash bananas until they were very smooth. Then, they mixed the mashed bananas with arrowroot flour.
This mixture was wrapped in banana leaves. It was then baked in an earth oven, which is a pit dug in the ground with hot rocks. The po'e would bake until it became a firm, pudding-like dessert. Once ready, it was cut into pieces and served with creamy coconut cream.
Today, people still make po'e, but they sometimes use different fruits. You might find po'e made with papaya, mango, or even squash. Instead of arrowroot, modern recipes often use cassava or corn starch to make it thick.
See Also
You can also find information about Po'e in Spanish: Po'e para niños
