What is tapioca that you make pudding with and where does it come from?

Answer 1

it is from a plant(the root)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca Tapioca is an essentially flavourless starchy ingredient, or fecula, produced from treated and dried cassava (manioc) root and used in cooking. It is similar to sago and is commonly used to make a milky pudding similar to rice pudding. Purchased tapioca comprises many small white spheres each about 2 mm in diameter. These are not seeds, but rather reconstituted processed root. The processing concept is akin to the way that wheat is turned into pasta.

Tapioca is a word derived from the Tupi-Guarani language of Brazil (from tipi meaning residue or dregs and ok to squeeze out). This refers to the process through which cassava (Manihot esculenta) is made edible. [We should note, however, that as the word moved out of South America it came to refer to similar preparations made with other esculents: 'Tapioca' in Britain often refers to a rice pudding thickened with arrowroot, while in Asia the sap of the Sago palm is often part of its preparation].

Answer 2

It is a type of starch... like corn starch, or arrowroot, there is tapioca.

Gosh, I haven't had tapioca in a long time! Think I will make some tonight! (I use hte instant, which you still have to cook, but not soak.)

Answer 3

It is made from tubers of plants called, tapioca, manioc or cassava.
Botanic name Manihot spp. It is a common crop in tropical countries and a major food staple in many parts of the world.