{"product_id":"yacon-peruvian-ground-apple","title":"Yacon- Peruvian Ground Apple","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlso called Sweet Root, Peruvian Ground Apple, Bolivian Sunroot and Pear of the Earth, Yacon is native to the Andean region of South America and has been cultivated in the region for centuries. The Incas referred to it as water root, due to its high moisture content and refreshing, mildly sweet flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA relatively easy-to-grow, high-yielding plant, Yacon thrives in areas with consistent moisture and mild temperatures. It is a hardy herbaceous perennial belonging to the sunflower family (Asteraceae), as evidenced by its broad foliage and small yellow flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe plant is especially known for its crisp, juicy tubers, which are sweet and refreshing—often described as having a flavour and texture somewhere between apple and watermelon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYacon produces two types of underground tubers: reddish rhizomes located at the base of the stem; these can be eaten when young but are primarily used for propagation, and larger storage tubers that resemble sweet potatoes; these are the main edible part of the plant and are typically consumed raw or cooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe edible tubers can be enjoyed raw, offering a crisp, sweet snack, or they can be cooked, baked, dehydrated, or juiced. Yacon syrup and Yacon chips are also popular for their natural sweetness and health benefits, especially for those monitoring blood sugar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYacon root offers a range of health benefits, particularly for individuals who are overweight, have high cholesterol, or experience digestive issues. Thanks to its high content of prebiotic fibres like fructooligosaccharides (FOS), it supports gut health, improves nutrient absorption, and may aid in weight management and cholesterol regulation. Best of all, Yacon has virtually no known adverse side effects, making it a safe and natural addition to a healthy diet for most people, and is being recognised as a gut busting superfood due to the potential benefits of this easy to grow perennial.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYacon grows well in a variety of soils, but for best results, choose a well-drained, reasonably fertile soil in a full sun to partly shaded location. To plant, place shooting rhizomes about 3 cm below the soil surface and cover lightly with soil. Lightly mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe plants grow rapidly during the warmer months, developing tall, leafy stems and small sunflower-like blooms. As Winter approaches, the foliage will naturally die back. This signals the time to harvest the underground tubers—gently separate the reddish rhizomes for propagation and collect the larger storage tubers for eating or storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn cool climates, store the rhizomes in a dry, frost-free place until all risk of frost has passed. Replant once new shoots begin to emerge in Spring, and the cycle begins again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor further information check out this Garden Gurus story: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/8lKjEPB5JXI\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/8lKjEPB5JXI\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53828745986232,"sku":"PKYACON","price":19.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/yacon-pkyacon-3pack.jpg?v=1785394424","url":"https:\/\/gardenexpress.com.au\/products\/yacon-peruvian-ground-apple","provider":"Garden Express Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}