Taro

Taro Fun Facts

First image Colocasia taro plant in ground, second image Cyrtosperma taro plant in ground

There are four main types of taro in the Pacific Islands, Two are Colocasia esculenta (true taro) and Cyrtosperma (giant swamp taro).

First image Alocasia taro plant growing in ground, second image Xanthosoma taro plant growing in ground.

The other two types of Pacific Islands taro are Xanthosoma (palagi taro) and and Alocasia (giant taro).

First image raw taro corm laying on its side, second image friend taro sticks plated with cucumber garnish and orchid blossoms.

You can eat almost every part of the taro plant. The taro corm is a good source of energy (starch).

First image close up of taro chips in a bowl, second image a long deep plate with a poi pounder in the middle.

Taro can be made into chips and pounded to be made into pa'i'ai and poi. You can also use the raw corm as fish bait.

First image cooked taro leaves in palusami, second image cooked taro leaves in lau lau

The stems of the taro can be cut into pieces and used as a vegetable in any dish. The leaves can be eaten but need careful preparation and cooking otherwise then can cause an itchy throat.