Wikipedia Article About Sago starch on Wikipedia Sago is a powdery starch made from the processed pith found inside the trunks of the Sago Palm Metroxylon sagu. Sago forms a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas. Because sago flour made from Metroxylon is the most widely used form, this article discusses sago from Metroxylon unless otherwise specified. The starch from the stem of the Asian sago palm is very fine and used as the basic thickener for custards, both milk and water based. Particularly popular during Ramadan.