What is African yam beans?

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms) is an annual legume with the capacity to produce bean seeds in a pod and produce tubers with varying seed patterns and colors.

What is the local name of African yam beans?

Sphenostylis stenocarpa or the African yam bean is a species of plant in the Fabaceae which is native to Africa. It is an important source of food in many parts of Africa.

Is yam and yam bean the same?

This root vegetable has very large tubers that most often are somewhat like flattened balls, but there are round varieties that are confused with yams. As with most roots, the yam bean is eaten peeled and cooked. This particular food is sweet and can be eaten raw or cooked.

What is the Igbo name of African yam bean?

Okpodudu
+Bioline International Official Site (site up-dated regularly) African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) belongs to the family Papilionaceae. It is grown mainly in the Southern parts of Nigeria for its edible seeds. The Ibo people of South Eastern Nigeria call it “Okpodudu, Ijiriji, Azama”.

What is the health benefits of African yam bean?

African yam bean is incredibly rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can prevent several metabolic disorders. Its rich protein content is ideal for poor communities suffering from malnutrition. Besides, African yam bean can keep you full for longer periods, making it an excellent food for weight loss.

What is the health benefit of African yam?

Packed with nutrition Yams are not only an excellent source of fiber but also high in potassium and manganese, which are important for supporting bone health, growth, metabolism, and heart function ( 3 , 4 ). These tubers also provide decent amounts of other micronutrients, such as copper and vitamin C.

What is yam bean good for?

Jicama has several of these compounds, which help prevent cell damage. Getting enough antioxidants from food has been linked with lower risk of cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and cognitive decline. Boosts heart health. Jicama has dietary fiber, which may lower cholesterol levels.

Is yam bean a vegetable?

Jicama is a globe-shaped root vegetable with papery, golden-brown skin and a starchy white interior. It’s the root of a plant that produces beans similar to lima beans. However, the beans of the jicama plant are toxic ( 1 , 2 ).

What is the English name for Azama?

According to a user from Nigeria, the name Azama means “Perseverance”. According to a user from South Africa, the name Azama is of Xhosa origin and means “Persevere”.

What are the benefits of eating yams?

They’re a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. Yams are linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. They’re versatile, easy to prepare, and a great vegetable to include in your diet in both sweet and savory dishes.

Is beans and yam healthy?

As far as nutrients go, the African yam bean is packed with a lot, including carbohydrates, protein, zinc, fat, fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium, and so on. With a well-stacked nutritional profile, the African yam bean is a very healthy food crop.

Is African yam good for diabetics?

Its high fibre content contributes to a glycemic index of 54, significantly lower than that of potatoes having a glycemic index of 80. This makes yam better suited for weight watchers, diabetics and those with heart disease as it does not create sharp increase in insulin response.

What are African yams and how do you cook them?

Like potatoes, African yams can be fried, mashed, boiled, pounded, and much more. Like I said earlier, yams are entirely different from Sweet potatoes.

Is Yam a cash crop in Africa?

It is a cash crop that is available in some areas of Africa all year-round. unlike some other crops that are seasonal. Depending on location, it is also popularly referred to as Ghana yam, Nigerian yam, African yam, true yam, white yam, or puna yam .

What are the different types of yams in Nigeria?

There are different types of yam. There is white yam (brown skin and white inner colour.. The skin is rough) and Yellow yam (brown skin just like white yam but yellow internally) . These are the popular Nigerian Yams. I personally prefer white yam however i have used yellow yam in this recipe as that was what was available when i made this.

How to boil Yam for Soup?

Yam is also used as thickener in soups like Ofe Nsala. How to boil Yam 1) Cut, slice and peel Yam 2) Rinse yam and put in a pot, cover with water, add salt, sugar, cover and leave to boil for 25 minutes or till soft (when poked with fork it goes in without resistance)