Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Japanese Purple Sweet potatoes have an oblong shape and a vibrantly purple colored flesh which maintains its coloring when cooked and processed. When raw it is possible for some tubers to have white streaks throughout, however these striations typically disappear and turn deeply purple colored when cooked. The skin of Purple Sweet potatoes can range from a light tan to a deep, dark purple, depending on the variety. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, the Japanese Purple Sweet potato offers a sweet earthy flavor with a buttery texture.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese Purple Sweet potatoes are available in the fall and winter.
Current Facts
Japanese sweet potatoes are botanically known as Ipomoea batatas and can be either the Satsuma or Kotobuki variety. Japanese sweet potatoes are native to regions of China and Japan, areas that are much colder than most sweet potato cultivars can survive. Its first known cultivation can be dated back to 50,000 BC. It was introduced to Europe during the 19th Century potato blight as an alternative to the white fleshed potato. The Japanese sweet potato was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and is still cultivated there today.
