Woo Tau, Taro Root

From: Gabe Thomas <cdanielle at prodigy.net> on 1998.03.13 at 06:32:12(1950) I found what was labled as Taro Root Woo Tau at a grocery store. It came from lucky produce Portland OR. Does anyone know what this is? I'm hoping it's not Colocasia esculenta 'Elephant Ear' because if so I paid too much for it. Unlike Home Depot, it was priced by the pound and I picked out the biggest one. The lady at the checkout was curious what it was used for, I told her I wasn't going to eat it I was going to plant it. If I find out that it is the common elephant ear I just may try eating it, as I don't need more. So what's the verdict plant or taro chips? Anyone have any suggestions? Gabe Thomas +More cdanielle@prodigy.net

From: Deansliger <Deansliger at aol.com> on 1998.03.14 at 17:19:48(1957) Gabe -- It may be Alocasia cucullata, the "Chinese Taro." Dean Sliger

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at email.msn.com> on 1998.03.15 at 02:31:38(1958) I believe it will be Colocasia e. esculenta, or dasheen, a variety of taro. The original letter mentioned different sized tubers, and since trhose of eddoes generally are of simular and more or less uniform sizes (all under 3" x 5".), and Alocasia does not, as far as I understand form a tuber (the stem is the edible part) I guess that they are dasheen (up to 6"x 10"), which I have not heard called Woo Tau, though the part of the name, "tau" suggests taro. I`d peel then boil it in salted water, then mash with a little butter, milk and cheese, and enjoy! Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com >>Gabe -- It may be Alocasia cucullata, the "Chinese Taro."<< Dean Sliger

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