One extensive use of bamboo is the usage of young shoots as food. Bamboo shoots are the young, edible bamboo plants that have just emerged from the ground. Bamboo shoots are low in fat and calories bu...

One extensive use of bamboo is the usage of young shoots as food. Bamboo shoots are the young, edible bamboo plants that have just emerged from the ground. Bamboo shoots are low in fat and calories but rich in fibre with about 90% water. Fresh shoots have a crisp and sweet flavour with limited shelf life and have to be sold immediately. The peak availability period is June to October. The shoots are usually harvested when they attain the height of 15-16 cm. Bamboo shoot is consumed either raw or processed because of its exotic taste and flavour. Many nutritious and active materials-such as vitamins, amino acids and anti-oxidants such as flavones, phenols and steroids are present in the bamboo shoots. They are valuable in pharmaceutical and food processing industries and can be processed into beverages, medicines, additives or health foods..