Sliced Bamboo Shoot

Bamboo Shoot (Sliced Bamboo Shoot)

AKA: bamboo sprouts

Family: Poaceae

Bamboo shoots are the edible shoots (new bamboo culms that come out of the ground) of many bamboo species including Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys edulis. They are used as vegetables in numerous Asian dishes and broths. They are sold in various processed shapes, and are available in fresh, dried, and canned versions.

Raw bamboo shoots contain cyanogenic glycosides, natural toxins also contained in cassava. The toxins must be destroyed by thorough cooking and for this reason fresh bamboo shoots are boiled before being used in other ways. The toxins are also destroyed in the canning process. (Source: Wikipedia)

There are over 100 edible bamboo species.