Tucupi: Amazonian Cassava Sauce

Tucupi is a bright yellow-orange sauce made from the fermented juice of the wild manioc (cassava) root, an Indigenous Brazilian Amazonian ingredient. Raw cassava juice contains naturally occurring cyanide compounds, so traditional preparation involves squeezing the grated root and then boiling and fermenting the liquid for days to make it safe and develop its signature sharp, slightly sour, herby flavour. It forms the base of Amazonian classics like pato no tucupi (duck in tucupi) and tacacá soup. Outside Brazil, look for bottled tucupi in Latin American grocers or online. It pairs especially well with seafood and rice.