
Which bamboo plant is edible?!
Can you eat any type of bamboo?
Now, while bamboo is edible and has been a natural delicacy for thousands of years – not all species can be eaten. Bamboo shoots can contain potentially toxic amounts of cyanogenic glycosides – to be specific, a substance called Taxiphyllin. This actually dissolves in boiling water, so bamboo shoots must be prepared very carefully before eating. Another thing to consider before tucking in is what the bamboo shoots will taste like. While some species can be absolutely delicious, others can be bitter and not so tasty. It’s all about knowing your Acidosasa Edulis from your Madake! Let’s take a look at some types of bamboo plants that you can get cooking…
Which types of bamboo plants are edible?
If you are looking to impress your dinner guests or try something new, here is a list of some of the common types of plants – rated from edible to delicious!
- Giant thorny bamboo – Edible
- Common bamboo – Edible
- Water bamboo – Edible
- Female bamboo – Good
- Bengal bamboo – Good
- Punting pole bamboo – Good
- Beechy bamboo – Good
- Spiny bamboo – Good
- Burmese bamboo – Good
- Walking stick bamboo – Delicious
- Aromatic bamboo – Delicious
- Elegant bamboo – Delicious
- Zig-Zag bamboo – Delicious
- Square bamboo – Delicious
- Aromatic bamboo – Delicious
- Square bamboo – Delicious
- Elegant bamboo – Delicious
Bear in mind that all of the above types of edible bamboo must be cooked thoroughly, and expert instructions must be followed to ensure they are toxin-free and maximise their taste. Fancy an easy option? Many bamboo shoots are readily available in cans in plenty of supermarkets and Asian markets. They are also added to many Chinese meals, so before you get your pans out, it may be worth browsing local menus and saving yourself the dishes. Who doesn’t love a takeaway?!