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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.
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are available in the early fall through winter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recipes that include Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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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.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Purple Japanese Sweet Potatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Pasar Anyar
Near Bogor, Jawa Barat, IndonesiaAbout 120 days ago, 3/16/20 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu 
giant palem semi tangerang
Near Bencongan Indah, Banten, IndonesiaAbout 234 days ago, 11/24/19 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu di giant palem semi tangerang 
Amazing Oriental 東方行
Amazing Oriental
Near Rotterdam, South Holland, NetherlandsAbout 258 days ago, 10/31/19 Sharer's comments : Purple yams.. 
Deli F Supermarket
Near Chuo, Tokyo, JapanAbout 375 days ago, 7/05/19 Sharer's comments : Japanese Yams! 
Poway Farmers Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near Poway, California, United StatesPO Box 898 Denair CA 95316 209-664-1447 About 444 days ago, 4/27/19 
La Jolla Farmers Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesPO Box 898 Denair CA 95316 209-664-1447 About 471 days ago, 3/31/19 
Leucadia farmers market
Olivares Miguel And Sons
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesPO Box 637 Delhi CA 95315 About 471 days ago, 3/31/19 
Vista Farmers Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near Vista, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair 95316 209-664-1447 About 479 days ago, 3/23/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at Vista Farmers Market. 
Sprouts Farmers Market
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 494 days ago, 3/08/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh! First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 498 days ago, 3/04/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. 
Thuan Phat Supermarket
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 520 days ago, 2/10/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh! 
Vista Farmers Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near Vista, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair 95316 209-664-1447 About 549 days ago, 1/12/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at Vista Farmers Market. Oviedo farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 556 days ago, 1/06/19 
Poway Farmers Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near Poway, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair 95316 209-664-1447 About 556 days ago, 1/05/19 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at Poway Farmers Market. General Deb's Near Myrtle Av - Harman St, New York, United States About 631 days ago, 10/22/18 Sharer's comments : Purple Japanese Sweet Potato spotted at General Deb's. |
