Meet ‘kimpul’, Indonesia’s forgotten tuber gone viral
As global food trends sweep social media, creators are giving new life to the once-overlooked local ingredient.
Indonesia's forgotten tuber, kimpul (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), has recently taken social media by storm and earned the nickname "Ibu Kimpul" (Mother Kimpul) on Instagram. Creator Suratini, also known as Tin, gained fame by replacing ordinary ingredients with kimpul in her dishes, such as boba pearl drinks and cream soups. The viral phenomenon has brought attention to this local ingredient, which has been consumed in Indonesia for centuries as a carbohydrate source and rice alternative.
Nutrition experts highlight that kimpul is low in fat, has a low glycemic index, and provides dietary fiber, resistant starch, minerals, vitamin B3, and bioactive compounds. Cultivation of kimpul persists in various regions of Indonesia, including Central Java, Sumatra, and West Nusa Tenggara.
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