A method of removing acridity substances from Araceae tubers without cooking by first soaking the tubers in warm water to achieve maximum starch yield while leaving the starch ungelatinized followed by a dilute alkali treatment to achieve maximum removal of acridity substances.
A baby food composition is disclosed which contains one or more fructan-containing vegetables. The composition selectively stimulates colonic bifidobacteria in the infant. The fructan-containing vegetables can include, among others, Jerusalem Artichoke, Salsify, Burdock and mixtures thereof. The baby food compositions can be a mixed vegetable preparation that includes at lease one fructan-containing vegetables along with other vegetables or baby food preparations. Also disclosed are methods for using and methods for preparing the baby foods.