Are yam and Huaishan the same? In daily life, we often hear the term ‘Huaishan yam’. In fact, this is a misconception. Because in our daily life, we always treat Huaishan and yam as a kind of food. Everyone is used to calling it ‘Huaishan yam’. There is a difference between yam and Huaishan, although they belong to the same category of yam. Regardless of whether it is seen from the appearance or from the perspective of nutritional value, yam and Huaishan have essential differences.

Specific differences between Huaishan and yam:

1. Appearance

Ordinary yams are generally quite thick, with the head being thicker, and the lower part being thinner. The skin of ordinary yams is relatively smooth, while the skin of Huaishan yam has many pits. Moreover, the skin of ordinary yams does not have rust-like spots, while the surface of Huaishan yam is full of rust-like spots that cannot be washed off.

2. Quality

Due to the large-scale artificial cultivation of ordinary yam, it contains more water. The texture of Huaishan yam is more delicate and firm, so it is not easy to break. Huaishan yam has a higher density, so it feels a bit like holding a stone when picked up.

3. Origin

This can be said to be the most fundamental reason for the difference between the two. Huaishan is a medicinal herb with a very high medicinal value, known as ‘Daodi medicinal herb’ in traditional Chinese medicine, which means it is produced in the original place. In our country, the original place of Huaishan is near Jiangsu and Anhui, and only the one produced there can be called Huaishan. The medicinal value and nutritional value of the yam produced in other places cannot be compared with the real Huaishan.

4. Cut

The cross-section of ordinary yam turns yellow after being cut for a while, while the cross-section of Huaishan yam does not. The milky white cut can maintain a longer time. After a simple washing, the skin of yam becomes smooth, while Huaishan yam requires more forceful cleaning.

5. Cooking Time

Ordinary yams require a long time to cook before they can be eaten, and they cannot achieve the effect of being melt-in-the-mouth. However, Huaishan yam can reach that feeling with only about six to seven minutes of cooking. Therefore, if the yam you buy at home takes half an hour to cook, it means that that yam is quite ordinary.

6. Function

Huaishan is a special medicinal herb, and in health preservation, we tend to use it as a kind of medicated diet. As for yam, we tend to treat it as a food, and I believe many people have eaten ingredients made from yam.

7. Composition

Huaishan has an additional youth factor compared to ordinary yams, which is a very important substance for maintaining life vitality. It has a very obvious effect on delaying aging and resisting diseases in our bodies.

8. Medicinal Value

Huaishan has an extremely high medicinal value, and it has a very good therapeutic effect on common diseases seen in daily life, such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis, obesity, and paralysis. The medicinal value of yam is much lower in comparison.