Where Is The 'Yam' A Staple Food?

Yams are plants that have edible tubers and so they are cultivated for consumption. There are over 600 species of yam and some of them can cause illness when eaten raw. They are mostly grown in tropical regions in West and Central Africa and New Guinea, where these are preferred over cereals. It is grown in the similar fashion as sweet potatoes. The word yam has a Portuguese origin which means 'to sample or taste'.

Yam is composed of a soft ingredient known as meat and range from white to bright orange in colour. Ther are about hundred of varieties that are cultivated and it grows upto seven foot (approx. two meters) in length and weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg). Yam is a carbohydrate - rich food.

The people of New Guinea cultivate Yam. It has wide range of colors from dark brown to light pink. The cover of Yam is a bit coarse which is a bit difficult to peel off. But the skin softens after heating.