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Japanese purple sweet potatoes are small to medium in size and are long, slender, and oblong in shape, averaging 10-12 centimeters in length and weighing around four ounces each. The tuber may be slightly curved, and both ends taper to a slender point. The thin, smooth skin ranges in color from red-brown, dark brown, to purple, and there are a few shallow eyes and root hairs present across the surface. The flesh is vibrant purple with some white and violet striations that disappear when cooked. Japanese purple sweet potatoes have a somewhat dry and starchy texture that becomes creamy when cooked and offers a mildly sweet taste with notes of chestnut.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are available in the early fall through winter.
Current Facts
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas and are members of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. Also known as Murasaki Imo, which means “purple potato” in Japanese, there are several varieties of Japanese purple sweet potato including Purple Sweet Lord and Ayamurasaki. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are used in a variety of culinary applications including desserts and snack foods and are valued for their sweet flavor and high antioxidant content.
Nutritional Value
Japanese purple sweet potatoes contain dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. The flesh also contains anthocyanin, a naturally occurring antioxidant that gives the tuber its purple hue.
Applications
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as steaming and roasting. When boiled, they will lose their purple hue so to retain their vibrant color, they should be roasted or steamed. In Japan, they are commonly used in snack foods, juices, bread, and confectionaries, as well as in desserts like ice creams, pies, and cheesecakes. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are also popular for Imo Yokan, a Japanese jelly cake made with sweet potato, agar, and sugar. Japanese purple sweet potatoes are commonly dried and turned into powder for use as a natural food coloring. They will keep up to two weeks when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
All varieties of sweet potato are valued in Japan as a healthy starch and are used in a range of applications. A popular traditional alcoholic beverage in Japan called Imo-shochu is derived from sweet potatoes and involves steaming the tuber and mashing it in with a rice, yeast, and water mixture. It is then fermented and distilled to create the alcoholic beverage. Versions of the drink made with Japanese purple sweet potatoes offer tasting notes of wine and yogurt.
Geography/History
The first sweet potatoes were brought from China to Japan in the 1600s and have been a staple food since the 1700s. Japanese purple sweet potatoes have been propagated since the 1980s and are the result of careful breeding. Today they are commonly grown in the Kagoshima and Kyushu Prefectures in Japan. Japanese purple sweet potatoes can be found in specialty markets in the United States and Japan, though availability may be limited.
Hamlow Ranches
PO Box 898, Denair, CA
209-664-1447
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are slender tubers averaging 10-12 centimeters in length and weighing about four ounces each. Their thin, smooth skin can vary from red-brown to dark brown to purple, while the flesh is vividly purple with white and violet striations that vanish during cooking. They are mildly sweet with chestnut-like notes, transitioning from a dry, starchy texture to creamy when cooked.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
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(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are versatile in the kitchen and maintain their striking hue when steamed or roasted, though boiling causes the color to fade. In Japan, they enrich dishes like Imo Yokan jelly cake, desserts, snack foods, and even ice cream. The potatoes can be dried into powder, serving as a natural food coloring. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, they remain fresh for up to two weeks.
Japanese purple sweet potatoes, known as Murasaki Imo, are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. The vibrant purple hue of their flesh comes from anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant. These versatile tubers are popular in Japan for their sweet flavor and are widely used in desserts and snack foods.
Geography: Japanese purple sweet potatoes were propagated starting in the 1980s through selective breeding. They are predominantly grown in the Kagoshima and Kyushu Prefectures, where conditions support their cultivation. Despite being widely consumed in Japan, their availability within the United States is limited to specialty markets, making them a unique find for enthusiasts of Japanese produce.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Imo-shochu, a popular Japanese alcoholic beverage, is made using sweet potatoes that are steamed, mashed, then mixed with rice, yeast, and water. After fermentation and distillation, this drink showcases unique flavors. When crafted with Japanese purple sweet potatoes, Imo-shochu can feature tasting notes reminiscent of wine and yogurt, enhancing its appeal as a versatile and distinct drink.
Japanese purple sweet potatoes are slender and oblong, averaging 10-12 centimeters in length and four ounces in weight, with tapered ends and vibrant purple flesh. Their texture is dry and starchy raw but turns creamy when cooked. They deliver a mildly sweet flavor with hints of chestnut, making them a unique addition to dishes.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Japanese Purple Sweet Potatoes are a versatile ingredient that retain their vibrant color best when roasted or steamed rather than boiled. They are widely used in Japan for snacks, juices, bread, and desserts like ice creams and pies. They are also turned into powder for natural food coloring. For storage, maintain them in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to two weeks.
Japanese purple sweet potatoes, also called Murasaki Imo, belong to the morning glory family and come in varieties like Purple Sweet Lord and Ayamurasaki. Known for their sweet flavor, they are popular in desserts and snacks. Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, their purple color comes from anthocyanins, which provide antioxidant benefits.
Japanese purple sweet potatoes have been cultivated since the 1980s through meticulous breeding efforts. They are mainly grown in the Kagoshima and Kyushu Prefectures in Japan. These sweet potatoes have become a prominent staple food in Japan, valued for their rich flavor and nutritional benefits. Though they are primarily found in Japan, they are occasionally available in specialty markets in the United States.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Japanese purple sweet potatoes offer more than vibrant color—they are key to creating a unique version of Imo-shochu, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage. This drink involves steaming and mashing sweet potatoes with rice, yeast, and water, followed by fermentation and distillation. Varieties made from purple sweet potatoes are noted for their distinctive tasting characteristics, resembling wine and yogurt flavors.
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