It looks like sawdust, yet tastes toasty and crunchy - and it is strangely addictive. Manioc flour, a condiment Brazilians sprinkle indulgently over the whole meal, has an exotically dry taste ...

Auguste Boniface Prince, 78, is well-known in northern Haiti where he sources his cassava plant or manioc from local farmers across the region. His cassava bread business also provides dozens of jobs.

In a large heavy-based pot, place the manioc and turmeric with plenty of water. Place over heat and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until cooked. Remove from heat and drain the liquid.

Evidence indicates manioc was a major Maya crop. They did not find the manioc, of course. What they found were empty spaces occupied by the plants before they disintegrated.

A new genomic study reveals how Indigenous traditional farming practices have shaped the evolution of manioc – one of the world’s most important staple crops – for the better.