Cold storage of tapioca roots.

TAPIOCA or cassava plant (Manihot utilissima,
Pohl.) occupies a place of considerable importance
among the food crops of South India.
The various varieties of tapioca are generally
distinguished as 'bitter' and `sweet' depending
on the presence or absence of a cyanogenetic
glucoside in the tubers. Together with the
glucoside, an enzyme is also present which can
decompose it and liberate hydrocyanic acid.
The enzyme is destroyed on boiling the tubers
and the HCN is dissolved in water.