Tapioca is a starch extracted from the storage roots of the cassava plant is a starch extracted from the storage roots of the cassava plant. Cassava copes better with poor soils than many other food plants. Tapioca can be used instead of flour in baking and cooking. It’s also often used for making desserts, such as puddings and bubble tea. NUTRIENT CONTENT: Tapioca is almost pure starch and contains only negligible amounts of protein and nutrients.