Glossary

Farinha puba also known as farinha de mandioca in Brazil, is a coarse flour made from cassava and is found in the Amazonian regions of Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. The preparation of Farinha puba is similar to the process of making Gari, a popular West African staple food, which is prepared by fermenting cassava.

Fermentation is used to reduce the cyanide content in some cassava varieties. However, the fermentation process does not eliminate the poisonous glycoside compeletely, only reduces it by around 65%. ^1,2 Long-term toxic effects in cassava-consuming populations may be an issue, especially if the pressed-out juices are also used as food.

The fermentation process further reduces the already low protein content of cassava.