Chinese Yam Taste Reviews and Cooking Tips
What is Chinese Yam and why do we love it?
Chinese yam – which means ‘mountain medicine’ in Mandarin – are frequently used in many hot pot menu, as it resembles white radish when peeled and sliced. Chinese yam is the only species of yam that can be eaten raw.
What is the point, you may be wondering, of consuming a hairy, tubular vine which is another oddly shaped root vegetable when there are other options such as sweet potatoes, taro, and spuds? Chinese yam contains significantly more nutrients than its starchy counterparts. It is digested more like carbohydrates by the body.
What does Chinese Yam taste like?
Chinese Yam is covered with thin yellowish skin over its crispy white flesh. The flesh is slightly sweet and can be eaten both ways, raw or cooked. It can be purchased raw or dried as herbs, which is commonly used in traditional Chinese soups and medicinal soups. Among all the cooking methods, Chinese yam stew and stir-fried yam slices are most commonly used.
Chinese yam can be stir-fried alone with carrots, hot peppers dipped in hot pot or stewed savory pork rib soup. The taste of Chinese yam is quite similar to water chestnut, but with a firmer and slimmer texture.
How to use Chinese Yam for Chinese cooking?
Chinese yam can be stir-fried alone with carrots, hot peppers dipped in hot pot or stewed savory pork rib soup. The taste of Chinese yam is quite similar to water chestnut, but with a firmer and slimmer texture.
How to use Chinese Yam for Chinese cooking?
To prepare fresh Chinese yams, it is recommended to rinse it under cool water before peeling the outer skin. Take caution while peeling as the slipper secretion makes it difficult to grip. Do not soak Chinese yams as it weakens the beneficial functions of the herb and washes the nutrients away.
Stir-Fried Chinese Yam
Stir-fried Chinese yam became a popular home-style dish in China with its easy cooking method, with abundant nutrition and light flavor. Clean the Chinese yam and peel its outer skin, slicing the Chinese yam into thin slices. It is recommended to add a little vinegar into the water when washing the peeled yam as the Chinese yam can be sticky. Cook the sliced Chinese yam in boiling water and remove it once it’s cooked. Fry some green onions, carrots, and green pepper until it is well done. Then, add in the cooked sliced Chinese yam.
Chinese Yam Soup and Chicken
Chinese yam soup is soothing with a slightly sweet taste. It is perfect during hot weather conditions or after a greasy meal. Adding goji berries into the soup adds extra benefits: improve eyesight and promote healthy skin.
Stir-Fried Pork Tenderloin with Chinese Yam
Chinese yam has a sweet taste which makes a perfect combination with stir-fried pork tenderloin. It is more a flavourful option compared to using regular potatoes. This meal will fit perfectly with rice or simply by itself as the Chinese yam would fill your belly, providing the energy and nutrients you need.
Chinese Steamed Yam and Pumpkin Cake
In this dish, if you decide to opt out pumpkin, you can use only Chinese yam instead. I prefer the combination of both to make it savory and delicious. Because pumpkin is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Its low-calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Adding dried shrimp and dried mushroom onto the steamed cake will elevate the taste and texture. The steamed cake can be prepared a day earlier. Keep it refrigerated and re-steamed when needed. The steamed yam cake also tastes much better when it is pan-fried.
Sautéed Yam with Soy Sauce
Sautéed Chinese yam is quick to prepare when you are looking for a quick meal. Sautéed Chinese yam has a mild hint of sweetness. It is rich in protein and vitamins which makes it a perfect dish for people who are watching their diet. The texture is crunchy and toasty which absorbs the flavors from the soy sauce being charred in the pan. The charred Chinese yam provides a delicious taste when seasoned with the right amount of salt and it has a texture unlike any other.
Where to Get Chinese Yam?
Chinese yams are offered in Asian markets. Some of the Chinese yams are dried and package as snacks. Purchase the fresh or dried product based on the need and usages.
Here are some of the best Chinese yam offered on popular platforms.
Amazon.com
Ebay.comIs Chinese Yam healthy?
Chinese yam is known for many health benefits. The main health benefits its known for is strengthening the spleen and stomach to aid digestion. Fresh yam makes it the perfect medicine and food to aid in absorption and digestion.
Chinese yam also aids in lowering the blood sugar level. It can be used to treat diabetes or a good diabetic diet. Besides that, Chinese yam contains mild medicinal properties, unlike ginseng which could help to regulate sleep. Consuming Chinese yam helps to nourish kidneys and enriching essence as it contains a variety of nutrients which can strengthen the immune system of the body.
Study shows that Chinese yam has antioxidant properties which is beneficial as a daily supplement. Chinese yam extract helps in preventing disease which plaque buildup in the arteries.
What is more worth mentioning about the benefits of Chinese yam is that it is a natural slimming food for ladies. It has high fibre content to produce the feeling of fullness after consuming it. It can be safely consumed without the fear of gaining weight as it is low calorie and highly nutritious.
Conclusion
Chinese yam can be cooked with different cooking methods, steamed, stir-fried, soup, and more. The most common method used is stir-frying Chinese yam. It is a simple dish to prepare and to season with salt while it is warm. A simple dish which provides a huge amount of nutrients and is beneficial for a good dietary meal. Chinese yam can also be found in other forms such as capsules or extract. Therefore, it can be eaten both raw and dried as herbs. Slicing a fresh Chinese yam is similar to slicing the crispy texture of lotus root.
A piece of advice: when slicing Chinese yam, there will be the presence of gluey liquid. It is advisable to wear a pair of gloves to prevent the possibility of uncomfortable feeling on the skin which can cause itch. Wash your hands thoroughly when you touched it by accident.
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