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Tapioca pudding is a creamy, comforting dessert made by cooking small tapioca pearls (derived from the cassava root) in milk or coconut milk, often sweetened with sugar and flavored with vanilla. It has roots in South American cuisine but is enjoyed globally, with popular variations in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and the United States.
This dish is primarily high in carbohydrates from the tapioca and added sugars, with moderate fat content depending on the milk used, and minimal protein. A typical serving provides a quick source of energy, along with small amounts of iron and calcium, and generally ranges from 200 to 350 calories.
Tapioca pearls are naturally gluten-free, making this a classic dessert option for those with gluten sensitivities. Its unique texture—soft, chewy pearls suspended in a creamy base—comes from the starch in cassava, which gelatinizes during cooking to create its signature consistency.