Can you still eat yacon after it turns black? Why does yacon turn black after being cut?

When we eat yacon in our daily life, you will find that yacon will turn black. Can we still eat yacon after it turns black? Why does yacon turn black after being cut? How to prevent yacon from turning black? We will share with you the things about yacon turning black, hope it will be useful to you!

Contents of this article

1. Can yacon still be eaten after it turns black?

2. Why does yacon turn black after being cut?

3. How to prevent yacon from turning black

Can I still eat yacon after it turns black?

Yes. The main reason why yacon turns black is that the tannin is oxidized. The oxidized black component is tannic acid, which is non-toxic and edible. However, since black yacon seriously affects appetite, most people do not want to eat it. It is recommended to peel off the black surface before eating.

Why does yacon turn black after being cut?

Oxidation and blackening. When the yacon is peeled, the phenolic substances in the plant cells react with the oxygen in the air under the action of phenolase, and produce a large amount of quinone substances. The newly formed quinone substances can quickly turn the plant cells brown. This change is called enzymatic browning of food. Therefore, the yacon peeled and left for a while will change color. Not only yacon, but also ordinary apples, pears and some vegetables (such as potatoes, eggplants, etc.) have this situation. This browning affects the appearance of the food and reduces the nutritional content of the outer layer, but it is still edible. If the yacon is left for a long time after peeling, the oxidation and decomposition of the plant cells in the air will intensify, and the nutrients in the outer layer of the yacon will decompose more. The pectin substances are further decomposed into pectin acid and methanol under the action of enzymes, making the flesh loose, moist, discolored, tasted, and even rotten and deteriorated. Therefore, it is best to eat the yacon immediately after peeling.

How to prevent yacon from turning black

Soak in clean water. The reason why yacon turns black is because it comes into contact with air. When yacon is cut, it will slowly oxidize. This process takes about 10 minutes, so as long as it is isolated from the air, the speed at which yacon turns black can be slowed down.

It is recommended to soak the cut yacon in water in time. The oxygen concentration in the water is low, which can effectively slow down the blackening speed of the yacon. The tannic acid contained in the yacon will also be dissolved in the water, which can also prevent the yacon from turning black.