Description:
The name "Purple yam" is loosely applied to any tropical root crop and in America, it also refers to sweet potatoes. A true yam is one of the cultivated species of the Dioscera family. It contains mainly starch. The flesh is white, yellow or pink depending on the variety. Yam is the basic food in many tropical countries.
How to select:
In India, the yellow variety of yam is called "Suran" and the purple variety "Kand".
Use:
Yam can be used in the same way as potatoes or sweet potatoes (in soups, stews, purees, croquettes, fritters etc.)
How to store:
Store yams in cool dry areas to decrease the chance of moulding and spoilage. Yams stored in plastic containers or bags will also spoil easily, so keep the yams in areas providing a sufficient flow of air.
Health benefits:
Purple yam are an excellent source of vitamin A. They are also a very good source of vitamin C and manganese. In addition, sweet potatoes are a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.
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