Many of the foods we eat with complete confidence are only safe because of traditions that have been refined over generations, often without us even realizing how essential those practices are. These routines—soaking, cooking, peeling, discarding certain parts—may seem like simple culinary habits, but in reality they are quiet safeguards against substances that can be harmful or even deadly. Take cassava, for example. In many regions of the world, it serves as a vital source of calories and sustenance, yet in its raw form it contains compounds that can release cyanide. Over time, communities discovered that soaking, fermenting, and thoroughly...
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