Hawaiian Word of the Week: Poi

Top: Poi three different ways; bottom: Taro field on Kauai.

Hawaii is the most populated isolated place on earth. With that, most of the food is shipped to the islands and I know that my food expense is bigger in Hawaii than when I am at home on the mainland. There are so many wonderful farmer’s markets on Hawaii that I try to make sure to buy food that is locally grown.

There is a movement to bring Hawaiians back to growing their own food. Organizations such as the Kokua Hawaii Foundation on Oahu and the Waipa Foundation on Kauai are making a concerted effort to educate Hawaiians about growing food on the islands. 

One of the foods that is nutritious and can grow easily on the islands is taro which is used to make poi (pronounced: poy). Poi is a paste made from pounding the root of the taro plant. Poi is high in Vitamin B, Vitamin E and Manganese. 

Have you ever tried poi on any of your trips to Hawaii? What did you like or not like? Tell us in the comments below!

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