Yacon looks inconspicuous, but it is a real super tuber. It is not only versatile in the kitchen, but also a medicinal plant. You can learn more about it here.

What is Yacon?

Yacon originally comes from South America and is still relatively unknown to us. The plant belongs to the daisy family and is a perennial and herbaceous plant. Perennial means that the plant has a lifespan of over a year. A plant is herbaceous if it does not become woody like shrubs or trees. Both also apply to primula or arnica, for example. Yacon is also related to the sweet potato and its orange-yellow flowers resemble those of the sunflower. The leaves of the yacon plant are also striking. They can grow up to 20 centimeters long and 35 centimeters wide.

Yacon is grown primarily for its edible roots. According to a publication by the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE), the tubers consist mainly of water and carbohydrates, especially fructans, mono- and disaccharides. The rest are oligofructose and inulin. This is indigestible sugar for humans. However, this is not a bad thing, on the contrary: when you eat yacon, bifidobacteria multiply in the intestine and ensure a good and healthy intestinal environment. For this reason, Yacon is said to help stimulate the metabolism and reduce feelings of hunger. According to the BZfE, calcium and vitamin C are other ingredients of Yacon in addition to sugar. The calorie content is 20 calories per 100 grams.

It is still difficult to buy Yacon from us. It’s easier to grow them yourself. You can buy either rhizomes or young plants from specialized online retailers.

This is how you plant Yacon yourself

Yacon is a rather undemanding plant. However, there are a few tips you can keep in mind when planting them.

When: As soon as it no longer freezes, you can plant Yacon. This is usually the case from mid-May.
Location: A sheltered, sunny spot is best for Yacon, such as on a window sill or in a greenhouse. In addition, there should be enough space, as the plant can grow up to two meters high.
Soil: Sandy and light soils are recommended. It is best to add some compost so that your plant gets enough nutrients. A layer of mulch over the soil is also recommended to protect the yacon from pests or weeds. Also, be sure to buy peat-free soil, as this does not require peatland drainage. You can find out more about this in the following article: Why you should better buy peat-free soil – and where to get it.
Now all you need is a large flower pot and rhizomes. These are Yacon Earth Sprouts. You can buy these online, for example.

If these points are given, you can start planting.

Fill a flowerpot at least 2 feet wide, mixed with potting soil and sand, as the plant grows very large. You should also keep this distance in the bed.
Dig a 1 to 2 inch hole in the soil and place the rhizomes in it.
Carefully cover the shoots with soil and water them.
Yacon grows slowly at the beginning, but you don’t have to worry. This is completely normal. Leaves develop first until the ground is reasonably covered. After two to three months, the plant then grows faster, it can then be up to two meters high.

You should keep this in mind when caring for and harvesting

After planting, Yacon grows almost by itself. However, there are a few things you should pay attention to in order to properly care for your plant.

In the beginning, you should pull weeds regularly. After a while, the conspicuously large leaves will develop and you won’t have to weed as often.
You should water the yacon plant at least once a day. But make sure that there is no waterlogging.
You do not need to fertilize Yacon if you have added compost to the soil or if there is a surface mulch layer. If you still want to help a little, a potassium-rich fertilizer is recommended. Also read: The best organic fertilizer.
If you planted and cared for the plants properly, you can harvest between October and November. Harvest time may vary slightly. However, you can easily tell from the leaves when the time has come.

With the first light frost, the leaves dry up or die. Then it’s time to dig up the tubers. It can sometimes happen that some tubers break off. That’s not a bad thing though, you can still use them later.

After that, you need to separate the tubers and the rhizomes. You can recognize the tubers by the fact that they are larger and thicker and resemble potatoes. The rhizomes, in turn, are roots or shoots.

Only the rhizomes are overwintered, not the whole plant. That means everything above ground has to be disposed of. You can then simply cut off the dead leaves. They go to the compost. Yacon is also very sensitive to frost. Therefore overwinter the rhizomes in a flower pot in a frost-free, not too dry location. Then cover them lightly with soil in the pot.

Now you should wash the tubers and dry them well. The latter is important so that your Yacon bulbs don’t start to get moldy. It is best to store the tubers in a cool and dry place, similar to potatoes. More about this here: Storing potatoes: These 7 tips will keep them fresh for a long time. The longer you store them, the sweeter the yacon tubers will be. They are still maturing.

Here’s how you can use Yacon

Yacon was already known to the Incas as a medicinal and useful plant. Thanks to the inulin it contains, Yacon is said to stimulate the metabolism, improve the intestinal environment and thus help with dieting. It is also believed that Yacon helps against diabetes and depression.

You can also use Yacon in the kitchen. There are various ways to prepare the tuber. For example, you can eat them raw or use them in soups, stews, and stir-fries.

You can also make a syrup from the tuber. This is good for sweetening desserts or drinks.