Maca
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| Family | : | Asteraceae |
| Genus | : | Smallanthus |
| Species | : | S. sonchifolius |
| Common Names | : | Yacon, llaqon, llacum, llacuma, yacumpi |
Yacon is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows between 1.5m to 2.5m height. The plant produces large storage roots (also known as yacon roots) normally eaten raw off the ground like a fruit due to its pleasant and slightly sweet taste. The roots are traditionally used by rural people as refreshment during field work, or occasionally for skin rejuvenation and to relieve intestinal, hepatic and renal disorders.
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Yacon roots are delicious, crisp and sweet-tasting; its texture and flavor have been described as a cross between a fresh apple and watermelon which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "apple of the earth".
The form and size of the tuberous storage roots are similar to some varieties of sweet potato, to the point that the two species can easily be confused at first sight. Yacon roots vary in shape from spherical to lemon-shaped and inverse pear-shaped. Commonly the roots, though smooth, can have irregularities and deformities such as cracks and constrictions, and there are severely contorted roots that are difficult to peel. The roots have a thin skin that is firmly attached to the flesh of the tuber.
The color of the fleshy root can be cream, yellow or orange and in some cases can include streaks of purple. The tissue of the root is soft due to the fact that it is mainly made up of water which accounts for 90% of the fresh weight. As a result yacon roots are very fragile and are prone to breakage especially during harvesting and transportation.
The root is composed mostly of water and fructo-oligosaccharides (commonly known as FOS). These edible roots contain inulin, an indigestible sugar, which means that although they have a sweet flavor, the roots contain fewer calories than would be expected.
For those who are not familiar, FOS is a type of sugar that has a lower caloric value than other sugar types (approximately 25 to 35% of the calories of normal carbohydrates). The consumption of FOS is also known to promote better health of the intestinal tract.
