Tapioca is trending. From boba tea shops to gluten-free recipes, it’s everywhere. But where did it really come from? In this solo episode, Chef Emme peels back the layers of a misunderstood ingredient and traces its true roots—not to Asia as many assume, but to the Indigenous Tupi people of Brazil. Before it was chewy pearls in your drink or a side dish on your plate, tapioca was sacred knowledge passed down by Brazil’s first peoples, who learned how to extract this starch from the cassava root—a root that holds deep cultural, culinary, and historical significance.
This episode isn’t just about food—it’s about truth, memory, and the stories ingredients carry. You’ll learn what tapioca actually is (spoiler: it’s not just “those balls in bubble tea”), how it became a global ingredient, and why knowing the origin of what we eat matters more than ever. From the rainforests of Brazil to West African kitchens to Southeast Asian desserts, tapioca reveals an unexpected connection between cultures across continents. In a world that often focuses on what separates us, tapioca reminds us of what binds us.
In a time when food is constantly rebranded, repackaged, and removed from its roots, this episode challenges listeners to dig deeper and ask: Whose knowledge are we consuming? Whose hands brought this to life? And why has that story been erased or forgotten?
Whether you’re a chef, a food lover, a history nerd, or just someone who’s ever had a bubble tea and wondered where those little pearls came from—this episode is for you.
✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
– The Indigenous Brazilian origin of tapioca and its ties to the Tupi people
– The difference between cassava and tapioca (and why it matters)
– How colonization spread cassava and tapioca across the globe
– Why boba isn’t the beginning—or the full story—of tapioca
– How one humble starch connects Brazil, West Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond
– The importance of honoring food origins and reclaiming culinary histories
This is the debut solo episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, a podcast hosted by Chef Emme—Brazilian-born, Seattle-based chef and storyteller. Through food, she explores the hidden histories, migration stories, and cultural connections that shape the way we eat today. Every episode is a journey across borders, traditions, and time, centering diasporic voices and honoring ancestral knowledge.
🔊 Listen, learn, and share this episode with someone who loves food, history, or just a good story.
🌍 Because when we know where our food comes from—we start to understand where we come from.
Follow us on Instagram:
@chefemme_
@dishinupdiasporapodcast
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