Yams are delicious and versatile. They can be used to make dishes sweet and savory, they’re good in soups, and they’re even great in desserts. But what about the leaves? Can you eat them?
Yes, You can eat the leaves of yams. The leaves are usually cooked and eaten as a vegetable or used as an ingredient in soups. You can also eat them raw in salads or use them as a wrap for sandwiches. The leaves are high in vitamin C and other nutrients that your body can benefit from.
Are There Any Risks To Eating Yam Leaves?
Yam leaves are generally considered to be very healthy but there are some risks associated with eating them raw or uncooked.
In fact, this is true for most types of leafy green vegetables since they do not contain any form of natural defense system against pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. This means that if you eat raw yam leaves you may be at risk of contracting food poisoning or infection from parasites such as tapeworms or roundworms which can cause serious abdominal discomfort and vomiting if left untreated.
To help prevent food poisoning, wash the yam leaves thoroughly to remove any harmful bacteria that may be present.
Benefits Of Eating Yam Leaves
There are many benefits of eating yam leaves. The following are the top 4 health benefits of yam leaves:
1. Rich in calcium and vitamin C
Calcium is an essential mineral that helps build strong and healthy bones, teeth, and skin. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption and boosts the immune system.
2. Rich in vitamin A and iron
Vitamin A helps promote healthy vision, particularly night vision, boosts immunity, and keeps skin healthy. Iron is an essential mineral that helps transport oxygen around the body, which is needed for energy production.
3. Contains antioxidants
Antioxidants protect against free radical damage in the body, which can cause premature aging, heart disease, and cancer. Antioxidants also help prevent a variety of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, according to the National Library of Medicine.
4. Good source of protein
Yam leaves are rich in protein because they contain all eight essential amino acids our bodies need to make new proteins. Proteins are important for building muscle mass as well as repairing damaged tissue throughout the body.
What Do Yam Leaves Taste Like?
If you’re not familiar with yam leaves, they tend to have a pungent and peppery flavor. This is similar to arugula, which makes sense because they’re both in the same family of plants.
Yam leaves also have a distinct aroma that can be hard to describe but might remind you of mint or celery when crushed between your fingers. If you’re not sure what kind of flavor profile you’ll get from them, it’s best to try them first before cooking them so that you know what to expect!
How To Prepare and Clean Yam Leaves
1. Wash the yam leaves in cold water, then dry them with a towel.
2. Remove the stems from each leaf.
3. Cut off the tip of each leaf and discard it.
4. Place them on a cutting board and cut them into strips about 1/4″ wide or less, according to your preference for eating style (e.g., as chips, strips, or shredded).
What Can You Use Yam Leaves For?
Yam leaves are so versatile. They can be used in different ways to make your life more comfortable. Here is a list of some of the ways you can use yam leaves.
1. Make a tea out of them
Yam leaves have a lot of health benefits that make them perfect for tea. It can help lower blood sugar levels and even aid in digestion. You can also use it to treat colds, congestion, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers.
2. Use it as a natural deodorant
This might sound strange but it is actually one of the best remedies against body odor. Just rub some yam leaves under your arms for about 5 minutes before you go out, and it will keep you smelling fresh all day long!
3. Use it in cooking
Yam leaves can be used in many recipes besides soups and stews like stir-fries, salads, or even curries! Try adding some to your next stir fry and see how delicious it tastes!
Conclusion
As you can see, you can eat yam leaves and there are a lot of reasons to eat them too. They can be prepared in many ways, including frying them or using them as a topping on salads or other dishes. There are also some health benefits associated with eating yam leaves such as improved digestion, heart health, and more!
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
