TaroTaro what is it? What is the evolution of Taro? What is the process of turning taro into poi? What is taro used for

today?

By: Sheena Hookala

http://www.tradenote.net/images/users/000/025/614/products_images/Taro___Eddoes___Purple_Dasheen.jpg

What is TaroTaro also know as kalo. Kalo is a part of the family Araceae

In scientific botany, taro is known as colocasia esculenta.

Calla Lily is an example of a member of the Araceae family

The Araceae family is comprised of about 1,500 species

http://milan.milanovic.org/math/english/fibon/images/13.White%20calla%20lily%20with%201%20petail.jpg

The History of Taro

Taro is said to have been originated from India and southeast asia

After India, taro cultivated west ward

Taro cultivated east towards China and can be traced back to 100 B.C.

Taro is native to Hawaii

Taro is said to be cultivated since 500 B.C. http://www.courtneylodge.com/files/u1/

india_new_delhi.jpg

What are the conditions needed to grow Taro?

Warm weather between 77F - 95FMust be grown in the spring when it doesn’t freezeTaro must be well wateredSoil should always be moistTaro must be planted about 6 inches deep and about 15-24 inches apart

The above picture is called a “loi” patch this is where taro is grown.

http://northshorekauai.com/2009/03/05/hawaii-committee-oks-bill-protecting-taro-plant/

How is Taro processed?After taro is harvested, it is rinsed clean

It is detached from its leaves and put into two separate piles.

One pile of the taro root and the other is the taro leaves are called “luau leafs”

Luau leafs are used to make “laulau” and “Luau stew”

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How is taro changed into poi?Taro is peeledTaro is cutTaro is boiled Taro is pounded using poi pounders

Poi Pounders

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A person pounding poi

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What are products of Taro?

http://www.tastyislandhawaii.com/images/youngs_poi.jpg

Poi Taro chips

http://static.zoovy.com/img/hotsauce/-/hchiptaro_sw_pot_v02

Taro pie

http://www.tastyislandhawaii.com/images/taropie.jpg

Taro Pancakes

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Why you should vote for Taro Taro is very interestingIt can be in different formsThe taste of Taro is sourMany Hawaiians enjoy it because they grew up with itIf you ever go to Hawaii, you will see that it is advertised in a lot if thingsMcdonalds sells taro piesMany stores will sell bags of taroYou can use the leafs as a source of foodPounding Taro is a very long process and a good way to strengthen your arm

Taro conehttp://p0.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/0/2/465402/1205809210.jpg

Bag of Poi

http://www.tastyislandhawaii.com/images/poi_taro_brand_3bag.jpg

ReferencesMisra, Raj S., Kamal Sharma, Ajay K. Mishra, and S. Sriram.

"Biochemical Alterations Induced in Taro in Response to Phyytophthora Colocasiae Infection." American Eurasian Network for Scientific Information (2008): 112-21. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 Feb. 2011.Mishra, Ajay K., Kamal Sharma, Misra, Raj S. “Purification and

characterization of elicitor protein from Phytophthora colocasiae and basic resistance in Colocasia

esculanta.” ScienceDirect (2008): 688-93. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 Feb. 2011.Hookala, Charles. Information about Taro, processing of Taro,

Pounding of Taro, and history of Taro. Interview. 7 Feb. 2011.

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