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Chai / चाई / Purple Yam / Ube / Dioscorea alata L.

Local Name: Chai / चाई

Common Name: Purple Yam / Ube

Botanical Name: Dioscorea alata L.

Status & Habitat

Habitat: Climber

Occurrence: Forest area, Hilly area

Season of Availability: September-November

Geography: Asia

Method of Propagation: Tuber propagation

Part used for Propagation: Tubers

Edible Parts

Edible Parts: Tubers

Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

Raw: No

Ripe: No

Both Raw & Ripe: No

Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant

As Food: May be boiled, cooked or fried like a potato.

As Medicine: Helps control blood pressure and acts as a laxative.

Cooking Method: May be boiled, cooked or fried like a potato.

Preservation / Curing Technique: N/A

Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: N/A

Souring Agents Required: N/A

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

Nutritional Benefit: Good source of cabohydrates, potassium, and vitamin C.

Medicinal Benefit: Helps control blood pressure; acts as a laxative.

Tribal Wisdom

Tribal Wisdom: Helps control blood pressure and acts as a laxative.

Recipes

Tribal Recipe: Undhiyu: For the masala, coarsely grind peanuts and sesame seeds. Mix with other masala ingredients. Stuff eggplants with a bit of masala. Toss all vegetables with masala. Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add carom seeds and asafoetida. Add veggies, masala, water, and turmeric. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Transfer to a pan, add methi muthiyas, and cook briefly. Serve with pooris.