Tubers are thickened stems that some plants have. Thanks to them, they can survive the hardest periods even if the leaves dry out. They are also a great source of energy, essential for the resurgence of the plant, but not only that, but there are also several that are suitable for human consumption.
So if you want to try something different, write these down names of edible tubers that should not be missing in your kitchen.
List of tubers
There are many plants that produce tubers suitable for human consumption. If you want to know what they are, take a look:
Sweet potato
It comes from the plant morning glory potatoesa perennial vine native to the tropical regions of South America and Central America that produces brown tubers with yellowish pulp.
tiger nut
It is the name given to the tubers of the Cyperus esculentusa plant very similar to egypt papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) what produces small tubers with a rounded shape in its roots.
Ginger
Ginger is a lively plant native to South Asia, being very common in India. Its scientific name is Zingiber officinaleand it is believed that it came to Europe from the East through the spice trade. Its tubers are consumedas you may have guessed, as a spice, but also as an aperitif and even as an ingredient in many recipes.
Jicama
The jicama, pelenga or Mexican turnip is a climbing plant native to Mexico whose scientific name is Pachyrhizus erosus. Its tubers are more or less rounded, and are consumed in the same way as potatoes.
Manioc
Image – Wikimedia Commons / David Monniaux
Cassava, also called yucca, casabe or guacamota, is the name given to a perennial shrub native to America. Its scientific name is manihot esculentaand produces elongated, edible tubers.
Potato
Potatoes are the best known and most cultivated tubers. They come from the plant Potatoan herb native to America of which only its tubers can be consumedas all other parts are toxic.
taro
It is a herbaceous native to India, Asia and Australia that belongs to the species esculent colocasia. Its leaves are really impressive, measuring 70cm long by 36cm wide. Produces edible tubers known as taro.
Jerusalem artichoke
This is how a sunflower native to America is known, whose scientific name is Helianthus tuberosus. In addition to being a great garden or pot plant, its tubers can be eaten smoothly.
Yam
Yam is the name given to edible tubers to a series of species of the genus Dioscorea, which is distributed in America, Asia and Africa. The most cultivated are:
- Winged Dioscorea: It is known as purple yam because of the color it has.
- Dioscorea bulbifera: produces aerial tubers.
- Dioscorea dumetorum: is the bitter yam.
- Dioscorea esculenta: is the common yam. They say about its flavor that it is exquisite.
- Opposite of Dioscorea: It is known as the Chinese yam. It is small in size, but better resistant to cold.
What does it take to grow tubers?
If you want to grow plants that produce tubers you will need the following:
- Suitable climate: in order to avoid spending money in vain, it is important to make sure that the climate in the area where you live is suitable, especially if it is a plant that lives several years (if it is annual it is not so much a problem, always that there are about 6 months of temperatures that are around 10 degrees Celsius minimum and 35 degrees Celsius maximum). Thus, the manihot esculentaFor example, it will only live well outside if no frost ever occurs.
- Virtual: Ideally, they should be planted in the ground, with soil rich in organic matter. However, it can also be in large and deep pots, the more the better.
- Soil / substrate: it must be rich in organic matter, and facilitate rapid water drainage.
- Orchard: it must be fertile, and have good drainage.
- Flowerpot: fill with mulch or with substrate for urban garden.
- Irrigation system: either drip if they will be in the garden, or with a watering can if they will be growing in pots.
- Travel Pass: as they are tubers suitable for human consumption, we recommend fertilizing the plants with organic fertilizers, such as guano, compost or herbivorous animal manure.
Do you know other edible tubers?
