What Is the Difference Between Huai Shan and Chinese Yam? Understanding the Differences at a Glance

There are many varieties of Chinese yam on the market, and we often buy a few to cook or make soup with. So what exactly is the difference between Huai Shan and Chinese yam that we usually see?

1. The difference between Huai Shan and Chinese yam

What we call Chinese yam in everyday life refers to iron stick yam.

The differences between iron stick yam and Huai Shan are:

1. Iron stick yam is produced in Jiaozuo, Henan, while Huai Shan is produced in Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Fujian and other places;

2. Iron stick yam is thinner than Huai Shan, with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm, uniform from top to bottom, with iron-brown spots on the skin and a dark color; Huai Shan has a diameter of 1.5-6 cm, is cylindrical, sometimes curved, and its skin is yellow-white or brown-yellow and relatively thin;

3. Iron stick yam has firm flesh, is very starchy, and has little mucilage; Huai Shan has more mucilage and crisp flesh.

4. Iron stick yam is white or pale yellow when cut open, while Huai Shan is white when cut open.

2. How to choose iron stick yam

Iron stick yam is highly nutritious and has high medicinal value; it was already used as medicine in ancient records. Wenxian County in Jiaozuo, Henan, is the geographical indication place of origin for iron stick yam. To buy authentic iron stick yam, you need to choose carefully.

1. First look at the surface. Genuine iron stick yam is uniform in thickness, generally about as thick as an adult thumb, with a relatively dark skin color and iron-red spots on the rhizome.

2. Feel its weight and weigh it in your hand. Generally, one iron stick yam weighs no more than 200 g.

3. Look inside. If there is a broken yam, you can observe it: if the flesh inside is firm, very starchy, the broken surface is fine and white or pale yellow, and there is little mucilage, then it is authentic high-quality iron stick yam.

4. Judge by taste. Iron stick yam has little water and more sugar, and its juice is especially thick. It is usually cooked through in less than ten minutes of steaming, and when cooked it is dry, rich and sweet, with a very starchy texture.

Chinese yam tastes good and is generally very delicious when used to make soup. There are many varieties, so you can choose different Chinese yams according to your own preferences.