Jerusalem artichoke, scientific name Helianthus tuberosus, is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Asteraceae, the genus Sunflower, which sometimes survives the winter. Native to North America, it was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and later introduced to other regions. Jerusalem artichoke is also known as devil ginger, kimchi vegetables, Panqiang, artichoke, water Jerusalem artichoke, ground Jerusalem artichoke, etc., because the flower shape resembles chrysanthemum, and there are tubers to eat, so it is called Jerusalem artichoke.
Jerusalem artichoke can reach 3 meters high, its rhizome is hypertrophied like a potato, the skin is rough, the color is light yellow or light purple, rich in inulin, inulin is not absorbed by the human body, so it is suitable for diabetics to eat. The stems are erect, the leaves are large, heart-shaped or ovate, the apex is pointed, the base is heart-shaped, and the margins are coarsely serrate. The flowers are yellow, sunflower-shaped, and the petals are broadly ovate. Both buds and seeds can reproduce.
Jerusalem artichoke is widely cultivated in northern China, and to a lesser extent in southern China. Jerusalem artichoke can be eaten raw, crisp and delicious, with a special fragrance;Cooking food tastes somewhat similar to taro, and is sweeter than taro. It can also make wine, the wine is mellow and sweet, and rich in nutrition, and has certain medicinal value. The tubers of Jerusalem artichoke are rich in inulin, which does not produce energy to the human body and can be broken down into fructooligosaccharides in the body, making it an ideal food for diabetics. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are also rich in protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1, B2, C and oxalic acid, and have high medicinal value.
In addition, Jerusalem artichoke also has good ecological functions, and its vigorous growth makes it have high application value in the treatment of desertified land, the prevention and control of soil erosion, and the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. For the primary industry, Jerusalem artichoke straw and leaves can be used as high-quality forage to improve the meat quality and quality of livestock.