Bamboo Shoots

Crisp and chewy bamboo shoots are freshly erupting edible culms of bamboo plant. Young, tender shoots are a seasonal delicacy in east asian regions, particularly in china, taiwan, japan and other south-east asian countries. Several species of bamboo plants employed in the bamboo shoot farming.

Bamboo plant is member in the grass family. After about 3-4 years of implantation, a new shoot arise from the root-system which is gathered and used as a vegetable. Some of important edible species are bambusa bambos, bambusa tulda, b. Polymorpha, b. Balcooa, dendrocalamus hemiltonii, d. Gigentius, and melocanna baccifera. Bamboo shoots appear above the ground surface in different seasons depending up on the species. When the cone-shaped new shoot just appears above the ground surface, it is severed from its root attachment using a spade. On its exterior, the shoot features tough casing of leaves, firmly wrap around its central cream-white meat. The meat has crunchy texture, mild yet distinctive flavor. Once boiled and cured, it however, acquires almost a neutral taste.

Bamboo culms compose of adequate levels of soluble and non-soluble (nsp-non starch carbohydrates) dietary fiber.a100 g of fresh shoots provide 2.2 g of roughage. Dietary fiber helps control constipation conditions, decrease bad (ldl) cholesterol levels by binding to it in the intestines. Studies suggest that high-fiber diet can help cut down colon-rectal cancer risk by protecting intestines from the toxic compounds in the food.

Bamboo culms are also rich in b-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin b-6 (pyridoxine), and pantothenic acid those are essential for optimum cellular enzymatic and metabolic functions.

Bamboo is good in minerals, especially manganese and copper. In addition, it has small amounts of some other essential minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for cellular respiration and red blood cell formation.

Bamboo shoots compose excellent levels of potassium. 100 g of fresh shoots hold 533 mgaor 11% of daily required levels of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium.