Konnyaku is a hard jelly made from the starch of the root or 'bulb' of the 'devil's tongue' plant and shirataki is its shredded form. With no distinctive taste, konnyaku and shirataki absorb the flavour and taste of the other ingredients they are cooked with. As both have next to no calories, they are ideal foods for those who want to watch their weight. They contain a type of Dietary Fibre which helps the body to discharge unnecessary and harmful substances. They can also be taken to help treat diabetes.