Journey of Sabudana
From Brazilian Cassava Kerala s Hope India’s Fasting Favourite
Domestication in Brazil ( 10,000 years ago)
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) cultivated by Indigenous peoples in west central Brazil.
To Asia via Portuguese (16th century)
Introduced to India via Goa; spread along the Malabar Coast through colonial trade.
Kerala famine relief (1860s 1880s)
Travancore rulers promote kappa as a rice substitute; public demos for safe prep build trust.
Detoxification know how
Soaking/boiling removes cyanogenic glycosides; makes cassava safe to eat.
Sabudana pearls arrive in India (1943)
First crude units set up in Salem, Tamil Nadu; earlier pearls imported from SE Asia.
Wartime staple (1940s)
Tapioca helps households cope with rice scarcity; becomes a resilient everyday food.
Industrial cluster grows (1981 )
SAGOSERVE cooperative organizes Salem s sago/starch makers; manufacturing scales up.
Pan India adoption
Popular as vrat/fasting food khichdi, vada, kheer across Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP and beyond.
Modern processing steps
Pulverization & globulation sizing roasting drying grading of pearls.
Today & health positioning
Energy rich; pair with peanuts/ghee/vegetables for balance. Enjoy in moderation.