Our Hero Ingredients: Cassava

Manioc, mandioca, and yuca: these are all names for one of our hero ingredients, cassava. Though lesser known than our good friend, coconut, cassava plays a critical role in the ingredients list of our tortillas. 

Cassava is a root vegetable that looks something of a cross between a sweet potato and a parsnip, and is cultivated primarily in West Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Similar to coconut, cassava is a miracle plant in that it wears many hats of opportunity. 

One of the most impressive aspects of cassava is its ability to withstand extended periods of drought, thus making it a valuable crop in areas where rainfall may be irregular. This fact alone makes it an important player in our philosophy to prioritize low-impact crops in our products.

Additionally, cassava is one of the most efficient producers of carbohydrates among food crops. It’s high in vitamin c, manganese, potassium, and folate; therefore a critically important food choice for people who consume it by choice or necessity. 

At SANA, we pair cassava starch with coconut flour to make a flexible, yet strong, tortilla base. It’s these two hero ingredients that give our products the pliability that most gluten free products are missing!