This one was a blast from the past for me. Or, more accurately, an event from the past. Whatever the intensity, I first had yuca over 11 years ago, and reported on it in my post on April 10, 2014. This brush with yuca was in a canned form, and from the mammoth Goya corporation. This time it was bagged yuca strips, from the relatively tiny Mayte brand.
I went into some detail about the yuca plant in my 2014 post, so I won't repeat myself much now. Briefly, yuca, aka cassava and manioc, is a very popular carbohydrate food source in the world, especially in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It's not to be confused with "yucca," which is an ornamental plant. To add to the fun, dried yuca is often known as "tapioca," and is then rendered into the strange looking, eyeball-looking, pudding.
The Mayte brand is plantain-focused. The company makes many flavors of plantain chips--sweet, garlic, chile-lemon, salted, lime, sweet maduritos strips, and in strip form. Additionally, Mayte sells "Danny's Roots," which is a bag filled with a combination of plantains, cassava (yuca), sweet plantain, taro, and sweet potato chips. Other than these chips, and of course, the yuca ones I had, they also make dulce de leche (a milk chocolate spread) and a guava paste. Mayte's wares are currently sold in Florida, Alabama, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and a few other places in New England. According to the official website, Mayte was started in Miami, Florida in 2002, by a woman who goes by the same name. She came to Miami seeking independence, and to strive to fulfill her dreams, and to liberate her true self. Mayte is passionate about music, her roots (both literal plant roots, and her history, I think), and she likes to be the center of attention. And that's all I could learn. I couldn't even find out what her real full name is. "Mayte" is a common nickname in Hispanic communities, as it's usually a shortening of "Maria Theresa," or sometimes "Maria Esther." Reportedly it means "lovable" or "loved one" in various Spanish dialects. And I guess Danny of the Danny's Roots product might be Mayte's husband, or father, or son, etc.
Mayte yuca strips: These were thin yellow strips, with brownish cooked edges, and of various shapes and sizes. They were dry and crunchy. By themselves, they tasted kind of like bland potato chips. Okay, but a little tame. Combined with a good dip or spread they were much better. So they were a decent canape or dip vehicle. Therefore, eating them plain I wouldn't really recommend, but with a good dip they're pretty solid. And I will try Mayte's plantain offerings if I see them, since it is their flagship product.
A few weeks ago, in my June 14th post, I reported that one of my stories might be out in the first issue of Horrorsmith: The Magazine, due out on June 30th. This was a misunderstanding, as this issue did come out, but my story is not a part of it. It will be in an issue of this magazine, but obviously in a later issue--perhaps the issue that comes out in late July/early August, or in late August/early September. I'll try to find out and keep everyone informed as soon as I do. In the meantime, I certainly recommend that folks give issue #1 a read. There's no risk--it's free. You can access it at the publisher's website, which is: https://www.horrorsmithpublishing.com
Finally, the other story I've mentioned recently is coming along nicely. The edits are complete, and my author biography has been turned in. It's slated for an August 2025 release at this time, in the Volume II anthology. More info will be shared on this blog as soon as I receive it. Stay tuned!
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