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Description/Taste
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are small to medium in size and are long, slender, and oblong in shape, averaging 10-12 centimeters in length and weighing around four ounces each. The tuber may be slightly curved, and both ends taper to a slender point. The thin, smooth skin ranges in color from red-brown, dark brown, to purple, and there are a few shallow eyes and root hairs present across the surface. The flesh is vibrant purple with some white and violet striations that disappear when cooked. Japanese purple sweet potatoes have a somewhat dry and starchy texture that becomes creamy when cooked and offers a mildly sweet taste with notes of chestnut.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are available in the early fall through winter.
Current Facts
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas and are members of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. Also known as Murasaki Imo, which means “purple potato” in Japanese, there are several varieties of Japanese purple sweet potato including Purple Sweet Lord and Ayamurasaki. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are used in a variety of culinary applications including desserts and snack foods and are valued for their sweet flavor and high antioxidant content.
Nutritional Value
Japanese purple sweet potatoes contain dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. The flesh also contains anthocyanin, a naturally occurring antioxidant that gives the tuber its purple hue.
Applications
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as steaming and roasting. When boiled, they will lose their purple hue so to retain their vibrant color, they should be roasted or steamed. In Japan, they are commonly used in snack foods, juices, bread, and confectionaries, as well as in desserts like ice creams, pies, and cheesecakes. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are also popular for Imo Yokan, a Japanese jelly cake made with sweet potato, agar, and sugar. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are commonly dried and turned into powder for use as a natural food coloring. They will keep up to two weeks when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
All varieties of sweet potato are valued in Japan as a healthy starch and are used in a range of applications. A popular traditional alcoholic beverage in Japan called Imo-shochu is derived from sweet potatoes and involves steaming the tuber and mashing it in with a rice, yeast, and water mixture. It is then fermented and distilled to create the alcoholic beverage. Versions of the drink made with Japanese purple sweet potatoes offer tasting notes of wine and yogurt.
Geography/History
The first sweet potatoes were brought from China to Japan in the 1600s and have been a staple food since the 1700s. Japanese purple sweet potatoes have been propagated since the 1980s and are the result of careful breeding. Today they are commonly grown in the Kagoshima and Kyushu Prefectures in Japan. Japanese purple sweet potatoes can be found in specialty markets in the United States and Japan, though availability may be limited.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes. One

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![]() ![]() About 148 days ago, 10/02/20 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese sweet potatoes from Her Produce ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 158 days ago, 9/22/20 ![]() About 194 days ago, 8/16/20 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu manis ![]() About 227 days ago, 7/14/20 Sharer's comments : ubi jepang ungu ![]() About 347 days ago, 3/16/20 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu ![]() About 461 days ago, 11/24/19 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu di giant palem semi tangerang ![]() ![]()
Amazing Oriental
Near Rotterdam, South Holland, NetherlandsAbout 485 days ago, 10/31/19 Sharer's comments : Purple yams.. ![]() About 602 days ago, 7/05/19 Sharer's comments : Japanese Yams! ![]() ![]()
Hamlow Ranches
Near Poway, California, United StatesPO Box 898 Denair CA 95316 209-664-1447 About 672 days ago, 4/27/19 ![]() ![]()
Hamlow Ranches
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesPO Box 898 Denair CA 95316 209-664-1447 About 699 days ago, 3/31/19 ![]() ![]()
Olivares Miguel And Sons
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesPO Box 637 Delhi CA 95315 About 699 days ago, 3/31/19 ![]() ![]()
Hamlow Ranches
Near Vista, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair 95316 209-664-1447 About 707 days ago, 3/23/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at Vista Farmers Market. ![]() About 722 days ago, 3/08/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh! First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 726 days ago, 3/04/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. |