Tucupi facts for kids

Tucupi is a special yellow sauce that comes from the wild manioc root. You can find manioc growing in the amazing Brazilian Amazon jungle. Sometimes, tucupi is also made when people create manioc flour. It's important to know that raw tucupi juice is poisonous because it has a substance called hydrocyanic acid.

How Tucupi is Made

Making tucupi involves a few steps. First, the manioc root is peeled and grated. Then, its juice is squeezed out. In the past, people used a special basket-like tool called a tipiti [pt] to do this.

After squeezing, the juice is left to sit. This allows the starch to separate from the liquid, which is the tucupi. At this point, the tucupi is still poisonous. To make it safe, it must be boiled for three to five days. This long boiling process removes all the poison. Once it's safe, tucupi can be used as a delicious sauce in cooking. It's often seasoned with salt and special herbs like alfavaca and chicória.

The Legend of Tucupi

There's a beautiful legend about how tucupi came to be. It tells the story of Jacy, who is the Moon, and Iassytatassú, who is the Morning Star. They decided to visit the very center of the Earth.

As they tried to cross a deep abyss, a serpent named Tyiiba bit Jacy's face. Jacy's tears then fell onto a manioc plantation below. Since that day, Jacy's face (the Moon) has been marked by the snake's bites. And from Jacy's tears, the tucupi sauce sprang forth.

Delicious Dishes with Tucupi

Tucupi is a very popular ingredient in the food of people living in the Amazon region of Brazil.

Duck in Tucupi

One famous dish is called Pato no tucupi, which means "duck in tucupi." First, a duck is roasted. Then, it's shredded and cooked in a sauce made with tucupi and another plant called jambu (Acmella oleracea). It's a very much-loved meal!

Tacacá

Another special Amazonian dish, especially from the state of Pará, is called Tacacá. It's served in a bowl made from a gourd. Hot, boiling tucupi is poured over manioc flour. Then, a generous amount of jambu and dried shrimp are added to complete this unique dish.

The tucupi sauce is a bit acidic, and this helps to make the jambu plant's effects stronger. When you eat dishes with jambu, it can make your lips and mouth tingle or feel a little numb. It's a very interesting sensation!

See also

In Spanish: Tucupí para niños