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Babai (Swamp Taro)

Babai, or swamp taro, is a starchy tropical root and is commonly cooked as a staple food.

Babai (Swamp Taro) — illustrative ingredient image

About Babai (Swamp Taro)

Babai, also called swamp taro, is a tropical aroid cultivated for its underground corms and other swollen edible plant parts. It is used as a starchy staple and may accompany fish, meat, vegetables, or sauces. The name can cover local forms that differ in the part harvested and in how it is handled.

The cooked corm is generally firm before softening and becomes dense, soft, or slightly fibrous with prolonged cooking. Its flavour is usually mild and starchy, allowing it to take on the character of accompanying foods. Texture and flavour vary between mature and younger plant parts and among local varieties.

Whole corms are typically cleaned, peeled, cut, and then boiled, steamed, baked, or cooked in an earth oven. They may be served in chunks, mashed, or incorporated into other dishes. Fresh raw pieces are generally prepared before eating, and cooking substantially changes their firmness and texture.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where babai (swamp taro) appears

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Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for babai (swamp taro)

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Babai (Swamp Taro)

English

babai

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Babai (Swamp Taro) nutrition & diet

Babai (Swamp Taro) nutritional value

Reference: Taro, giant swamp, raw

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
79kcal
Protein
0.5g
Carbs
17.8g
Fat
0.2g

Official national food-composition reference. The displayed food form is part of the estimate; cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Portions & preparation

Establish that the ingredient is the regional babai or swamp taro identity, then record the corm variety, maturity, peeled edible portion, and cooking method. Raw, boiled, baked, fermented, or processed forms should not be interchanged. Preparation with coconut, oil, meat, or sauces belongs to the recipe.

Compare the right form: Reference must match verified babai or swamp taro species, corm portion, maturity, peeling, and cooked or processed form.

Diet considerations

Babai, if confirmed as swamp taro, is plant-derived and used as a starchy root. Identity and preparation must be verified because local names can vary. Compatibility changes with animal stock, dairy, coconut preparations, coatings, or cereal ingredients. The portion-dependent carbohydrate pattern depends strongly on serving size and accompanying foods.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: The Pacific Islands Food Composition Tables, Second Edition (2004) — A066 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .