Answer :
Final answer:
Yuca is another name for cassava, which is a staple food crop used in many forms including fried, mashed, and as flour for baking. Cassava is critical for providing carbohydrates in tropical regions and requires proper preparation due to its cyanide content. The correct option is 1.
Explanation:
The other name for yuca, which is used in cooking sopa de caracol, is cassava. Cassava, scientifically known as Manihot esculenta, is a staple food crop in tropical regions and is known by various names including tapioca, manioc, and mandioca depending on the location. As a versatile root, cassava is used in many culinary applications ranging from fried dishes to being processed into flour for baking.
Cassava is the most important root crop in the world and is an essential source of carbohydrates in many cultures. It thrives in both poor soils and regions with low rainfall, making it a practical crop for challenging environments. However, cassava contains cyanide that must be removed through proper cooking and preparation, ensuring its safety for consumption. The starch extracted from cassava roots is also utilized in industry, for instance, in the production of tapioca balls for bubble tea or for making bioethanol.
