Tapioca is a starch extracted from the roots of cassava, a tuber native to South America also known as yucca root. Rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and naturally gluten-free, tapioca offers many health benefits. Moreover, its versatility in the kitchen makes it very popular all over the world. Le Maní, a tapioca shop that recently opened its doors right in the heart of Brussels, just a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place, specializes in this exotic ingredient. Hurry and check out this new café!
Delicious crepes
At Le Maní, tapioca is prepared as delicious sweet or savory crepes. You might be wondering, how are they made? The process of extracting cassava starch involves grinding the roots to extract the juice, then dehydrating that juice to obtain small, translucent white granules known as tapioca. When placed in a pan, these little pearls form a soft crepe, which is then topped with various ingredients. It’s that simple!
Try, for example, the delicious smoked salmon tapioca crepe. It’s topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a mix of lettuce and avocado. A real treat! Do you have more of a sweet tooth? The coconut & doce de leite crepe is definitely for you. The succulent combination of doce de leite—that Brazilian milk jam—and coconut will transport your taste buds straight to the tropics!
A café with Brazilian flavors
What’s more, this tapioca spot offers all kinds of other Brazilian specialties. Treat yourself , for example, to refreshing açaí bowls or pão de queijo sandwiches . Or, when it comes to drinks, try guarana, a very popular soda in Brazil made from extracts of the plant of the same name. Finally, the café’s charming, minimalist decor will win you over. It’s the perfect spot to unwind during a quick getaway to downtown!
📍Address: 12 Petite Rue des Bouchers, 1000 Brussels
