Dried Chinese yam

The rhizome of Chinese yam, sold as chalk-white flat dried sticks and slices, or fresh for slicing at home. Mild and starchy, it thickens the broth slightly and adds a soft, comforting bite; the dried slices need only a brief soak and rinse.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、lung、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is the gentlest of tonics, strengthening the spleen, lungs and kidneys without heatiness, traditionally judged suitable for young and old alike in everyday pots.

Cautions — read first

• Not to be eaten in quantity if damp is heavy and you feel full in the middle, or if your stools are dry and hard
• When choosing, avoid sulphur-fumigated stock, the sort that looks too white and smells sharp

Preparation

A short soak and rinse is enough for the dried slices. Fresh 淮山 is peeled and cut into pieces, and handling it can make your skin itch, so wear gloves if you like.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

河南焦作（懷慶府，四大懷藥之一） — AU grocer stock includes Henan 'Huai Mountain' yam sticks and unsulphured slices

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$3.24–3.99 / 100g
Henghui Premium Sun-Dried Unsulphured 80g $3.19; Henan Huai Mountain Yam 8 sticks 80g $2.59

Pairs well with