The Amazon can be dangerous for a few different reasons. A food that I am going to introduce you to today called Tacacá contains cyanide, but the main star of the dish (and what contains cyanide) is cassava.
Cyanide is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious harm or death if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. When ingested, cyanide inhibits the body's ability to use oxygen, which can lead to rapid cell death and severe tissue damage.
How is Tacacá edible then?
Tacacá is served in gourd bowls from local vendors on the street. Vendors make Tacacá in large pots and then assemble the soup. The soup has two different forms of cassava, a sort of tapioca goop and Tucupi. Tacacá also contains Jambu or a leafy green that slightly burns and numbs your mouth and lips.
When I drink Tacacá from the bowl, my whole body is hit with an intense flavor, unlike anything I have tried before. Tacacá tastes tangy, sour, and slightly bitter, with the jambu numbing your mouth, and the dried shrimps adding a bit of subtle sweetness. The goopy, clear, slime-looking tapioca at the bottom helps your stomach digest the dish.
