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Kota Kinabalu: Long regarded as a poor man’s food and which many relied on to stay alive during the Japanese Occupation, the humble tapioca is seeing a revival as a health food.

Known as Cassava or Mundok (in Kadazan) or Ubi Kayu, the once traditional favourite on festive occasions or as chips when watching TV is getting costlier.   For a tuber that grows just about anywhere and hardly needs maintenance, a kilo of the root now fetches upwards of RM6 compared to just RM3 a year ago – a 100pc hike.

Connie Teo, in her 70s from Membakut still enjoys eating steamed tapioca, something she became fond of during childhood.