Papyrus

Cyperus papyrus

vegetable

The sweet white pith of the stems, chewed raw or cooked by the ancient Egyptians, according to Herodotus.

Origin

Nile Valley and tropical Africa

Where to find it

In the marshes of the Nile, Lake Victoria and the Okavango Delta; in Egypt, it hardly survives except in cultivation.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The stem is peeled down to the white pith, which is chewed raw for its sweet juice, spitting out the fibers, or cooked.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

The same pith, pressed in strips, gave the scribes their paper.