Yam is a nutritious and highly medicinal root food, but in the market, we can often see two different yams: hairy yam and iron stick yam. What's the difference between them? Below we will compare from several aspects. Wenxian iron stick yam
1. Varieties and origins
Mao yam is a relatively common yam species, which is cultivated throughout the country. The iron stick yam is mainly produced in Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, and is one of the local specialties.
2. Appearance and form
Hairy yams are usually long cylindrical in shape, with a smoother surface, fewer hairy whiskers, and light brown in color. The iron stick yam is cylindrical or rod-shaped, with obvious rust-colored traces on the surface, and more and longer hairs, so it is named iron stick yam. Darker in color, dark brown.
3. Taste and texture
The meat of Mao Yam is relatively soft, the taste is delicate, and the moisture is sufficient, which is suitable for stewed soup, porridge and other cooking methods. On the other hand, the meat quality of the iron stick yam is firmer, the taste is more crisp and tender, and the moisture is relatively less, which is suitable for stir-frying, cold dressing and other cooking methods.
Fourth, nutritional value
Although there are slight differences in the nutritional content of hairy yam and iron stick yam, in general they are both highly nutritious. They are all rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, zinc, etc. Among them, iron stick yam also contains more amylase and carbohydrates, which help to strengthen the spleen and stomach, replenish the body and invigorate qi.
5. Medicinal value
Yam itself is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine with high medicinal value, which has a variety of effects such as strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing yin and replenishing yang. And there are also some differences between hairy yam and iron stick yam in terms of medicinal use. According to traditional Chinese medicine books, Mao Yam is biased towards moistening the lungs and relieving cough, clearing heat and detoxifying, and is often used for symptoms such as lung fever and cough. The iron stick yam is biased towards the effect of tonifying the spleen and stomach, strengthening the kidney and improving essence, and is often used for symptoms such as loss of appetite and kidney deficiency.
To sum up, there are certain differences between Mao Yam and Iron Stick Yam in terms of variety, origin, appearance, taste, nutritional value and medicinal value. Consumers can choose the yam varieties that suit them according to their needs and tastes. At the same time, when purchasing, we should also pay attention to choosing fresh, insect-free yams to ensure their quality and hygiene safety.