Where Do Purple Sweet Potatoes Come From? An Analysis of Their Maturity and Market Season and Anti-Aging Benefits

Purple sweet potato, also known as black sweet potato, is a food suitable for men and women of all ages. Because of its high nutritional value and its anti-aging, anti-fatigue and blood-nourishing benefits, it is deeply loved by people. At present, many people like to cook it as rice or use it in soup. So where does purple sweet potato come from? When does it mature and reach the market? What benefits and effects does it have?

1. Where does purple sweet potato come from?

Purple sweet potato is also called sweet potato, sweet potato and sweet potato, and is native to Central America. On the list of best foods confirmed by the World Health Organization, sweet potato ranks first in the best vegetable group. Because the color of the sweet potato is violet, it is called purple sweet potato. Purple sweet potato contains rich trace elements, such as iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, etc., especially selenium, which is relatively high. The root of the sweet potato is both a "rich mine" of vitamins and an expert at fighting cancer. China began introducing and planting it in 2002.

2. When does purple sweet potato mature and reach the market?

It depends on when it is planted. Generally, if planted in spring, it can be harvested before the eighth lunar month. If planted in late spring and early summer, it will not be harvested until the ninth month, and at the latest it can be harvested in the tenth month. It is understood that purple sweet potato is generally harvested in mid-to-late October, and for fresh-eating purple sweet potato it is delayed until early November. It must be fully harvested before frost, so it basically reaches the market at this time.

3. What are the benefits of eating purple sweet potato?

1. Relieves constipation

Purple sweet potato contains a large amount of cellulose, which can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, help excrete toxic substances and carcinogens from feces, keep bowel movements smooth, promote digestion, and has a laxative effect.

2. Delays aging

Purple sweet potato is rich in selenium, which can scavenge free radicals, has a strong antioxidant effect, and can block the disease-causing effects of reactive oxygen species and free radicals by eliminating lipid peroxides, helping to delay physical aging.

3. Improves liver vitality

Purple sweet potato contains a large amount of mucin, which can prevent atrophy of liver connective tissue and help improve liver vitality.

4. Improves vision

The vitamin A contained in purple sweet potato can protect the eyes and improve vision.

5. Beneficial to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems

The anthocyanins contained in purple sweet potato can inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation and platelet aggregation, protect blood vessels, and are beneficial to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.

4. How should purple sweet potato be stored so it does not sprout?

1. Refrigerator storage. The low temperature of the refrigerator can greatly extend the storage time of purple sweet potato. Under normal circumstances, raw purple sweet potato can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as several months. If it is cooked purple sweet potato, it cannot be kept for a long time in the refrigerator, and the storage time generally cannot exceed 3 days. Therefore, after purple sweet potato is cooked, it is best to eat it immediately.

2. Make it into dried sweet potato. Cut off the inedible parts of the purple sweet potato, put it into a pressure cooker and cook it, and after it cools, take it out, peel and slice it, then dry it in a well-ventilated place with sufficient sunlight.

3. Sun-drying. If there is a lot of moisture on raw purple sweet potato, be sure to wipe it off, and place it in a place with sufficient sunlight to dry off excess moisture. Too much moisture will lead to problems such as spoilage of purple sweet potato. After removing excess moisture, store it in a cool, ventilated place.

4. Cellar storage method. Soak purple sweet potato with 70% thiophanate 1000-fold solution and disinfect the cellar, then put the purple sweet potato into the cellar. Keep the cellar temperature between 10 and 15 degrees. If there is a lot of purple sweet potato to be stored, this method can be used.