Chebe is a seed from a shrub that grows all over Africa. An organic Chebe product, however, is one of a line of grain-free, gluten-free food mixes. The mixes are based on manioc flour and starch. Manioc is also known as yucca and cassava. A more familiar name for the starch from this plant is tapioca.

The founders of the Chebe brand emphasize that they began their company to introduce Americans to a delicious bread they encountered in Brazil. They soon learned that many, if not most, of their customers were searching for gluten-free substitutes for favorite but forbidden foods. Now the product line include mixes of many kinds, all based on manioc flour.

The manioc, or yucca, or cassava, or tapioca root was a primary source of food for the indigenous population of Brazil and surrounding regions. The tuber has a thick, rough, brown skin but a snow-white insides which yield a flour or a starch, depending on its processing. The root contains toxins and must be carefully pounded and washed to make it edible. Most consumers will want to buy a ready-to-use mix, although the root can be bought in some exotic-foods groceries.

You can visit the gluten-free section of grocery stores or go online to the home site of the company to see what mixes are available. These include the original bread mix, which contains manioc flour, manioc starch, cream of tartar, and sea salt. These ingredients make a tasty loaf of bread with a pleasing texture.

The bread mix has manioc flour, manioc starch, sea salt, and cream of tartar. Other mixes have added ingredients, often spices. The pizza crust contains onion, the focaccia has cheese, and the cinnamon roll mix is sweetened.

For those who suffer from gluten-intolerance and who've given up baked goods and bread, these mixes are a godsend. Being gluten-free, they don't trigger the cramping, bloating, or intestinal discomfort that comes with eating wheat or other grain products. However, they offer a true bread taste that is rare among substitution foods.

Don't give up! Try Chebe mixes and you may be surprised. You can once again enjoy homemade bread at an affordable price and from a convenient mix. Pizza on Chebe's gluten-free crust is a pleasure. The company is always looking for other recipes, too, so keep up with what consumers are doing with the mixes. The website is a good source for information and for delicious recipes.

Organic is great, too, so you know that the food you're making isn't tainted with pesticides, herbicides, storage chemicals, or genetically-modified organisms. While protecting your health, you will be supporting sustainable agricultural practices. This makes it healthier for farm workers, too, who are not always protected in third world countries. All in all, using these and other organically-certified products is a good way to live green and stay healthy.