What does Taro have in common with eggplant? They both contain calcium oxalates which if not properly dissolved will cut up your throat when swallowed.

Image from wikipedia

These are the same crystals that can form in your kidneys, referred to as kidney stones. No one ever wants that! Here are some magnified images of Taro and their crystals as well as close up of my hands as the taro crystals sliced tiny cuts in my skin because I wasn’t smart enough to wear gloves. Lesson learned.

Image Mai's hands 200x

I love both taro and eggplant and hope to enjoy them the rest of my life. Just be certain you have cooked both thoroughly and dissolved the crystal structures.

Both eggplants and taro have so many nutritional benefits besides being incredibly delicious.

A couple favorite recipes Squid Luau (link https://maitaisatsunset.com/blog/squid-luau) and my moms shoyu pork eggplant (link coming) are definitely worth trying 😊

additional information from drugs.com

foods that are high in oxalate.

• Grains:
  • Wheat bran, wheat germ, and barley
  • Grits and bran cereal
  • White corn flour and buckwheat flour
  • Whole wheat bread
• Fruit:
  • Dried apricots
  • Red currants, figs, and rhubarb
  • Kiwi
• Vegetables:
  • Collard greens, leeks, okra, and spinach
  • Wax beans
  • Eggplant
  • Beets and beet greens
  • Swiss chard, escarole, parsley, and rutabagas
  • Tomato paste
• Protein foods:
  • Baked beans with tomato sauce
  • Nut butters and nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts)
  • Soy burgers
  • Miso
  • Dried beans
• Desserts:
  • Fruitcake
  • Chocolate
  • Carob and marmalade
• Beverages:
  • Chocolate drink mixes
  • Soy milk
  • Instant iced tea
• Other foods:
  • Sesame seeds and tahini (paste made of sesame seeds)
  • Poppy seeds