How to Prepare Edible Starch (Usi)

Last Updated: September 28, 2020

Edible starch (usi) is a staple for the people of Itsekiris, Urhobos and Isokohs in the Delta State in Nigeria. Usi is an accompaniment for such soups as banga and Owoh. It is made from the starch residue collected from cassava, when processing garri (tapioca).

Ingredients

1 cup tapioca starch
2 cups water
1 tablespoons palm oil

Steps

1
Place the starch in a non stick frying pan. Add water to it and melt the starch within by kneading it with your hands until it disintegrates and forms part of the liquid.
2
Add the palm oil to the pan. Mix nicely with a wooden spatula, making sure there are no hardened residues underneath. It must be able to flow freely.

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3
Set the pan over a medium heat. Cook and stir continuously in one direction. Soon you will see the starch coagulating.
- Holding the handle, you can tilt and bend the pan as you want while stirring with the spatula.
4
Continue mixing the starch. Flip it over every two minutes until the starch is properly cooked.

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Community Q&A

Question

Is this starch the same as the starch used for clothing?

Maggie Peterson

Community Answer

No, it is not. Clothing starch does not contain oil because it would stain the clothes.
Question

How many minutes does starch take to cook?

Community Answer

The timing isn't exact. Flip it every two minutes until properly cooked. It should appear more yellowish when cooked, and usually takes about 8 minutes.

Warnings

Too much or too little water will make your starch too soft or too hard. Follow the instructions carefully to get a good result.

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