Smallanthus sonchifolius (Illustration taken from the web)When I first saw the Yacón tubers on sale at the Fruit section of a local supermarket, I mistook them for sweet potatos. On a closer look, I noticed the name on the price tag was "雪莲" or snow lotus (Saussurea sp.). Obviously it was another case of confusing misnaming of an introduced crop. Eager to sample new edible plants, I bought a few home.
Yacón tubers have a mellow, agreeable taste. Eaten raw, both the flavour and texture are most reminiscent of the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus，菊芋). The Yacón is slightly sweeter, though.
Given the fact that it is a member of the Asteraceae family and its tuber resembles the sweet potato, I think that "菊薯" would be a proper Chinese common name for it.
Yacón tubers have a mellow, agreeable taste. Eaten raw, both the flavour and texture are most reminiscent of the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus，菊芋). The Yacón is slightly sweeter, though.
Given the fact that it is a member of the Asteraceae family and its tuber resembles the sweet potato, I think that "菊薯" would be a proper Chinese common name for it.
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