Yams
Yam/Uwhi
Availability
Yams are available from June until October.
Storage and Handling
Store in the refrigerator. Handle all fresh produce with care and wash before eating.
History
The yams that are grown in New Zealand originate from the South American Andes where they are an important vegetable crop known as oca
Facts
- The sweet tubers are quite small, often about the size of your thumb
- They are pink-orange in colour and have a slightly shiny and ribbed surface
- Other varieties are available that are sweeter, slightly smaller and coloured yellow, apricot and gold
- New Zealand yams are very different from the tropical yams grown in other countries
- In America, and hence American recipe books, the vegetables known as ‘yams’ are in fact sweet potatoes like our Beauregard kūmara
Growing Facts
- Plant in October and November
- Yams need a longer growing time to produce tubers. They can be harvested from around May
- Plant in similar manner to potatoes
- Yam plant leaves look like clover
Nutrition Information
Yams are a good source of folate and a source of potassium and vitamin B6.
You will find the full Nutrition Information Panel on the New Zealand Food Composition Data website. This website is owned jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health. This website holds the most comprehensive collection of high-quality nutrient data for New Zealand foods. The Database is managed and maintained by dedicated Plant & Food Research staff.
