Some people actually eat bamboo??

[Dave]

Yes they do! The shoots (new bamboo culms that come out of the ground) of bamboo are edible, used in Asian stir fry, and are available in supermarkets in various sliced forms. However, the shoots of some species contain toxins that need to be leached or boiled out before they can be eaten safely. Pickled bamboo, used as a condiment, may also be made from the pith of the young shoots.
The sap of young stalks tapped during the rainy season may be fermented to make Ulanzi (a sweet wine), or simply made into a soft drink.

[twirly]

I have a friend from India, whose mother prepares pickles and she uses bamboo to give the taste ...and I have eaten..and I am not dead ..and I really liked that ..so it's true..bamboo is ok to be prepared for eating as long as you know how

[lunaticvulpine]

the shoots are aweosme in soops. but they have a real bitter taste some times but still they taste real good they probably carry the sliced kind inyour market in the asian foods section. or i can buy a can and send it to you no problem LMK

[Claire]

I'm having bamboo in my take out leftovers for lunch! Mmm.

[bamboogirl]

Originally Posted by lunaticvulpine

the shoots are aweosme in soops. but they have a real bitter taste some times but still they taste real good they probably carry the sliced kind inyour market in the asian foods section. or i can buy a can and send it to you no problem LMK

some bamboo is bitter but alot not..proper prepareing is a must..most bamboo shoots we all eat in the usa in cans is moso from china..

chele

[LeftCoastAngler]

The younger, bamboo shoots are edible on some species. Not your average bamboo that you thinking of though... Growing up, my moms cooked it every which way I can think of...

~LCA.