| "Can bamboo shoots really be eaten?" my 7 | | | | important to make sure you have a full |
| year old child asks, "Yes" I tentantively | | | | understanding of the procedures involved in |
| reply, but my knowledge is poor, so I | | | | cooking and preparing your shoots, this |
| research. Bamboo shoots can be eaten from | | | | article is just an overview of the cooking |
| certain bamboos, I learn that Bamboo shoots | | | | procedures. |
| must be peeled and cooked before using. It is | | | | |
| important to note that bamboo shoots must not | | | | Bamboo shoots have been eaten for many |
| be eaten raw. The first stage after peelins | | | | centuries and are great as a healthy |
| is to trim the roots, peel the outer leaves | | | | substitute to potatoes and other starchy |
| (sheath leaves), and remove any tough flesh - | | | | foods and are ideal for weight watchers. An |
| the young tender leaves can be left attached. | | | | analysis of bamboo shows that it is a great |
| | | | source of vitamins and minerals as well as |
| The shoots should be cut across the grain | | | | essential minerals like phosphorus, calcium |
| into one-eighth inch slices. | | | | that is need for healthy bones and teeth, |
| | | | iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and |
| The bamboo shoots should then be cooked in | | | | vitamin c. The low calorific value of bamboo |
| boiling water in an uncovered pan for 20 | | | | (which is approx 43 calories per 100g) is |
| minutes, it is important to leave the pan | | | | great for people wanting to use it as part of |
| uncovered as this allows the compounds within | | | | their weight watching regime. |
| the bamboo shoots, that cause the bitter | | | | |
| taste to dissipate into the air. | | | | The bamboo shoots also contain enzymes like |
| | | | nuclease, deamidase, proteolytic enzymes, |
| If there is any bitter taste to the shoots | | | | amylase, amigdalin splitting and silicon |
| after cooking, boil them in fresh water for 5 | | | | splitting enzymes, which are useful in the |
| more minutes. Bamboo shoots can also be | | | | digestion of proteins within the body. |
| microwaved, in an uncovered shallow pan of | | | | |
| water for four minutes. Shoots will still be | | | | There are may other uses for bamboo, the |
| crisp and crunchy after cooking. If you have | | | | leaves are useful in the treatment of stomach |
| any bamboo receipes that you would like to | | | | upsets, in many parts of india, the leaves of |
| share with us visit our forum at | | | | the bamboo are used in the form of decoction |
| | | | to treat diarrohea, they are also useful in |
| In China and Japan, Phyllostachys heterocycla | | | | encouraging the efficiency of the stomach in |
| (also known as Phyllostachys pubescens or P. | | | | the digestion of food. |
| edulis) is the most popular source of bamboo | | | | |
| shoots, but some species require careful | | | | Other uses include the treatment of |
| preparation as they release lethal quantities | | | | respiratory diseases, menstrual disorders, |
| of cyanide when cut. Therefore it is | | | | intestinal worms, wounds and ulcers. |