14 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK 495, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



PN-4442 



Figure 6. — Typical tuber of the select variety 'Florido'. (Two-fifths actual size.) 



the flavor rich and free of bitter- 

 ness, and the texture smooth. The 

 tuber should be resistant to insects 

 and fungi in the ground and in 

 storage and should have a long 

 storage life before germination 

 begins. Germination in season 

 should be dependable and rapid. 

 A good yam can be processed into 

 good fries, good chips, good flour, 



and good precooked, dried flakes. 



It appears that D. alata varieties 

 with good flavor and acceptable 

 cooking characteristics are low in 

 phenolic compounds, including 

 anthocyanins. Although phenolic 

 compounds (and polyphenolic oxi- 

 dation) account for undesirable 

 flavors and colors, these com- 

 pounds may be also associated with 



