Description. Another name for yacón is Peruvian ground apple, possibly from the French name of potato, pomme de terre (ground apple). flour on caecum mucosal morphometry, calcium and magnesium balance, and bone calcium retention in growing rats", "Hypolipidemic effect of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) roots on diabetic rats: Biochemical approach", "Extraction and Identification of Antioxidants in the Roots of Yacon ( Smallanthus s onchifolius )", "Caffeic Acid Derivatives in the Roots of Yacon ( Smallanthus sonchifolius )", "Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius): A Food with Multiple Functions", "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF YACON (SMALLANTHUS SONCHIFOLIUS) PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND", "Yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia (Poepp. Yacon grows very easy. Until as recently as the early 2000s, yacón was hardly known outside of its limited native range, and was not available from urban markets. The Yacon necrotic mottle virus infects yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and causes necrosis, chlorosis, stunting and malformation of leaves. Yacon tubers and rhizomes. one apparent flower head is in reality composed of several florets). Easy to grow. Except for the Lake Titicaca basin in the southeast, its borders lie in sparsely populated zones. The tubers can be eaten raw, boiled, dehydrated, roasted or processed into beverages, jams, syrup, vinegar, flour, chips and juice. To plant, cover a large rhizome which has several sprouts, with soil to a depth of 3 cm. Also known as Peruvian Ground Apple Yacon was consumed by ancient cultures incl. The yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a species of perennial daisy traditionally grown in the northern and central Andes from Colombia to northern Argentina for its crisp, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots. Plants produced by seeds grow slower than vegetatively reproduced plants.[2]. Effigies of edible food may have been placed at Moche burials for the nourishment of the dead, as offerings to lords of the other world, or in commemoration of a certain occasion. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. The yacón plant gets infected by different species such as nematodes, bacteria, fungi, viruses and insects. et Endl.) Factsheet – Botanical Data: Yacón – Smallanthus sonchifolius. Dried leaves of Yacon are used for tea. H. Robinson] chemical composition and use – a review", "The effect of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaf extracts on rat hepatic metabolism", "Hypoglycaemic Property of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. None of them are conclusively edible, although a few have a history of medicinal use. [19][20] Following, disease free propagation material is necessary to intensify the yacon production. Their texture and flavour are very similar to jícama, mainly differing in that yacón has some slightly sweet, resinous, and floral (similar to violet) undertones to its flavour, probably due to the presence of inulin, which produces the sweet taste of the roots of elecampane, as well. Being part of Peru’s natural resources, the government has established protected areas in a bid to conserve and preserve the Peruvian biodiversity. The optimal growing temperature range is 18- 25 Â°C. Unlike many other root vegetables domesticated by the indigenous peoples of the Andes (ulluco, oca and mashua), yacón is not photoperiod sensitive and can produce a commercial yield in the subtropics, as well. Also known as Peruvian Ground Apple Yacon was consumed by ancient cultures incl. The capital is Lima. The outside of these sweet tasting tubers is tan, brownish or even purple brown. Some time ago, Japan also began growing the tuber and it has become popular in dishes like tempura. Attempts to establish yacon outside the Andes have been mixed. The presence of natural enemies and trap plants are control strategies to reduce herbivore damage in yacón cultivation. Yacon. Yacon roots are made into dehydrated products, flour, chips, slice, purees, juices and sweeteners in the form of syrup or tea. The plant was introduced to Japan in the 1980s, and from there, its cultivation spread to other Asian countries, notably South Korea, China, and the Philippines, and is now widely available in markets in those countries. Since 1960, this plant spread from South America to a lot of different countries around the world such as New Zealand, Japane and many other countries which lead to variable usages.[13]. Peru is endowed with a rich variety of plant species, some of which are rare and endemic, and and even under great threat of extinction. While usable-sized edible tubers develop fairly early in the season, they taste much sweeter after they have matured and have been exposed to some frost. Yacon was first introduced to Germany in 1861 and from there was introduced in the USA in 1869, but, with a few exceptions, it didn’t attract much attention until the 1970s on either side of the Atlantic. can lead to rot in the root and crown of the yacón plant. [4] Therefore, the energy value is low. Seeds are stored inside achenes, which measure on average 2.2 mm - 3.7 mm and are dark brown coloured. The dry matter is composed of out of 40-70% of fructooligosaccharides. [14], Yacón is assumed to show different health promoting effects. General Copyright on all Contents, Composition & Design by LimaEasy, Lima Perú - © 2006 - 2015. [13] If they are eaten freshly, they are sweet and crunchy. Generally, yacon ordered from Outside nurseries arrives in 4’ pots as individual rhizomes with leaves and a stalk already above ground. Each flower head is hermaphrodite which means that it units female and male florets in one pseudanthium. Around 7,000 years ago, people living in the Andes were growing potatoes, and praised the crop for its ability to grow in difficult climates. The tubers are sweet enough to be used in a fruit salad. The plant can be grown using cuttings and the purple corms at the bottom of the stalks. Open cannabis usage can, therefore, provoke some extreme reactions, so discretion is always a good idea. "Ethnobotanical notes on "Yacon,"polymnia sonchifolia (Asteraceae)", https://repositorio.promperu.gob.pe/bitstream/handle/123456789/1343/Factsheet_botanical_data_yacon_2009_keyword_principal.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y, "The Biological and Chemical Variability of Yacon", "Fructosyl transferase and hydrolase activities in rhizophores and tuberous roots upon growth of Polymnia sonchifolia (Asteraceae)", "Yacon, a new source of prebiotic oligosaccharides with a history of safe use", "The Twenty Protein Amino Acids Free in the Juices of Our Common Vegetables and Herbs", "The optimization of the formulation for a chocolate cake containing inulin and yacon meal", "Effects of fructans-containing yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp & Endl.) Yacón is sometimes confused with the unrelated plant jícama (Pachyrhizus erosus), which is a bean, as yacón is commonly called jícama in Ecuador. Polyphenols are also substrates for the enzymatic browning of damaged tissues in yacon root, giving it a greenish or black colour due to a condensation reaction of polyphenol compounds with amino acids and the enzymatic polymerization of polyphenols. Yacon is an interesting plant native to Peru, which produces sweet tubers that slightly resemble yellow sweet potatoes.It is only recently that people outside of South America have become interested in yacon, and you can now find the tuber in some place in Europe and the US. [1] The stem is cylindrical to angular and hollow when the plant is mature. Therefore, the use of clean and healthy yacón offsets and rootstocks for propagation are important to reduce disease spreading.[21]. (Show °C/cm) Space plants: 39 inches apart Harvest in approximately 25 weeks. Peruvian Yacón. Anyone or any country wishing to grow Maca outside of the high Andes should legally obtain permission from the Peruvian government before doing so. The leaves of the plant are medicinal and can be harvested to make tea. The outside of these sweet tasting tubers is tan, brownish or even purple brown. Plant sprouting root/tuber to a depth of about 4cm and mulch to cover. and Hendl.) The … They are epiphytic or terrestrial. Yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius, also known as Peruvian ground apple, is a type of perennial daisy with origins in the northern and central Andes Mountains of Peru and surrounding countries. Consume it fresh by adding it to fruit salads. The skinny: Sweetened by the South American yacón plant, TraLa Organic Coffee Sweeteners taste great in coffee and will help you win the battle of the bulge, according to creator Chris Cianciulli. Learn more about the country, including its history, geography, and culture. Depending on the variety the inside can be white, yellow, orange or purple. Tubers (potatoes, ollucos, yacon) are ideal candidates for “space food” for several reasons. Little weeding is needed as dense shade is created as the yacon grows. [3], Yacon tubers consist mostly of water and carbohydrates. Yacon Smallanthus sonchifolius. Yacon should be planted in a well-dug bed in early spring, near the time of the last expected frost. As they are more attractive to insects, less insects will feed on the yacón plants. Traditionally a juice is produced from fresh Yacon which is drunk directly or concentrated to a kind of syrup that can sweeten almost anything. It grows well in Kathmandu, Nepal, southern Australia (including Tasmania) and New Zealand, where the climate is mild and the growing season long. [17] In the Andean folk medicine, yacón is used against liver and kidney disease whereas it is used against diabetes and digestions problems in Bolivia. the Incas on a regular basis. [15] The tubers contain phytoalexines, phenolic compounds and high concentrations of fructanes which are considered as bioactive compounds which are beneficial for human health. The chemical composition of yacon varies depending on factors such as location, farming, the growing season, harvest time and the post-harvest temperature. Similar to molasses in texture, the thick syrup has traditionally been used as a natural sweetener. Yacon is not only outstanding nutritious source, but also has a positive impact on health for a modern society marked by excessive consumption of meat, food preservatives, junk foods, etc., and lack of physical exercise. Meanwhile both growing and not growing coca are causing damage to the environment: the plantations have led to serious deterioration of soils and the environment generally, while chemical spraying and clearing of vegetation are measures for eliminating the illegal crop. They are very easy to grow, productive and produce sweet tubers that can be eaten raw. Their upper surface is hairy. In general, seed production is rather low and some ecotypes do not produce any seeds at all, eventually due to pollen sterility. Plants are large and vigorous, so space them at least 0.5 metres apart. Also, insects like the sunflower caterpillar (Chlosyne lacinia saundersii) can cause damage by feeding on yacón leaves. They grow between 100 and 4 600 meters. Yacón is sometimes confused with the unrelated plant jícama (Pachyrhizus erosus), which is a bean, as yacón is commonly called jícama in Ecuador. The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) leads to crop loss due to the various symptoms as poor growth and roots with characteristic galls. [2], Yacón plants produce small, inconspicuous flowers at the end of the growing season. These are wild relatives of yacon that may be useful for breeding. Yacon is healthy, completely edible, fully sustainable, and is really fun to grow. Peru, country in western South America. Dostert, N., J. Roque, A. Cano, M. La Torre and M. Weigend. The tubers that grow below the ground are harvested in the fall if the plant in lifted in your growing zone. 99 Satellite data show tree cover loss in South America rose 2.8% between 2018 and 2019. Yacón is also grown on the Atherton tablelands in Queensland. [12] The phenolic compounds enable epiphytic bacterial growth with very specific metabolic properties, inhibiting the attack of pathogens. Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed I grow these species among the yacon, so there is a very good chance that some of them may be crossed with yacon. It has been found in pre-Incan tombs in Peru, indicating a wide dispersal in early times. The lesions disperse along the leave veins and increase in intensity towards the tips whereby the lesions gradually turn necrotic.[23]. Colombia, Peru and Bolivia had particularly big surges in deforestation. The tubers can be eaten raw, finely sliced and mixed into salads, boiled or baked, fried as chips or prepared as a pickle. After the first few frosts, the tops will die and the tuberous storage roots are ready for digging out. Yacon is a handsome, compact, herbaceous plant … It is grown occasionally along field borders where the juicy tubers provide a welcome source of refreshment during field work. Yacón can easily be grown in gardens in climates with only gentle frosts. The yellow or orange ray florets are female and up to 12 mm long, while the yellow-brown disc florets are male and about 7 mm long. The major antioxidative compounds in yacon are chlorogenic acid and L-tryptophan. Although we live in a cool climate, we have been growing Yacon for around 10 years. ... outside of school, he worked at another local gym, this time as a personal trainer. The colour depends on the variety and ranges from white to pink to brown. It tastes good, crispy and juicy, but its more like a fruit than a potato alternative. Leaves are opposites and pointed. It grows outside as a perennial in zone 9, it stands some frost and even some snow, I guess you can always dig/replant it. A healthy startup with roots, from Long Island to Peru. With a texture similar to that of an apple and a flavor profile that can be described as a cross between water melon, apple and cucumber yacón makes for … Preliminary data indicate the … If the storage temperature keeps at 1 degree, the turnover from Fructooligosaccharides to glucose, fructose and sucrose will also slow down. Grow them indoors. This is a law that Peru does enforce as evidenced by the illegality of exporting either whole roots or seeds of the plant. [13], In colonial times, yacón consumption was identified with a Catholic religious celebration held at the time of an earlier Inca feast. While aerial parts are damaged by frost, the tubers are not harmed unless they freeze solid. It is generally best to leave the perennial rhizomes in the ground for propagating the following spring, or, alternatively, they can be kept in the refrigerator or buried away from frost until spring. The timing of flowering strongly depends on the environmental conditions. 1 Yacon Propagation Crown Cutting (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Organically Grown Yakon -Yacón - Peruvian Ground Apple - Bolivian Sunroot Sunchoke Crowns Cuttings 3.0 out of 5 stars 9 $4.99 $ 4 . Transplant up if necessary, using well-drained compost. Marijuana usage in Peru (especially outside the major cities) is nowhere near as open or accepted as it is in parts of Europe and the USA. The History Of Potatoes In Peru. Orchids: Peru has a large variety of orchids, some restricted to their natural regions. a yacon growing tip (3 growing tips actually supplied, one resulting plant guaranteed) £ Stock: The folks at Brithdir have been also growing Yacon for a while and they've pointed out that you can also mash and press your yacon tubers to get juice, which can then be boiled down to … 2009. The storage roots are up to 25 cm long, 10 cm wide, gain a weight of 0.2 kg – 2.0 kg and have varying bark colours. Eaten by the Inca's as a snack or sweet, Peruvian ground apple –or- yacón is still enjoyed by Peruvians every day. Some Peruvians see all drugs in the same way, no matter whether they are soft or hard drugs. Yacón is a perennial herb which grows up to 2.5 meters in height. Yacon could be … Moche depicted such yacón on their ceramics.[18]. If 50% of the roots are infected, the plants become unmarketable and inedible. [6] The most abundant minerals in yacon are calcium and potassium. Frost causes the above ground parts to die back, but the plant sprouts again from the rhizome under favourable temperature and moisture conditions. The yellow to orange coloured flower head is a pseudanthium (i.e. The plants grow best with fertilizer. Yacon tubers are rich in bioactive compounds, which occur naturally in both the leaves and the roots. Growing. Many of them are endanger due to illegal trade and deforestation of their habitat. Peru has a great diversity of climates, ways of life, and economic activities. How to Grow Yacon - The Peruvian Ground Apple - Duration: 5:11. johnny A 9,438 views. [5] These oligosaccharides are known to be nontoxic, non-digestible and sweet. It grows well in a pot indoors or outside. Potatoes are 1. high in carbohydrate and contain some protein (around 10-15%), 2. a highly productive crop compared to other staples, 3. easily prepared with minimal preparation and processing, 4. easy to grow in a small space if properly planned . 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