Mauka

From 1960 onwards, this South American tuber vegetable was rediscovered by Julio Rea, who found it cultivated by Indians in his home country of Bolivia. Later (around 1970) he also discovered it in Ecuador, and in Peru (1987) it was also found. A special crop that (unlike potatoes) also grows above 2700 m. This unsurpassed plant also grows fantastically in our Low Countries! The plant can produce runners up to over 2 meters in length. Overwintering is still a bit of a challenge for growers, but the plants easily grow into robust tuber bearers. We also hope to be able to grow the seeds (light germinators!) someday.
Both the tubers, leaves, and stems are edible! The tuber's taste is somewhere between a potato and a sweet potato, slightly nutty. During storage, the tubers become sweeter; for raw consumption, leave them in the sun for a while to break down some of the astringent substances, which completely disappear when cooked. The stem and leaves have a mild, pleasant taste. The plants are not day-length sensitive and can withstand very poor summers. Propagation currently occurs through cuttings and tubers.

Names:
Latin: Mirabilis expansa
Dutch: Mauka
Also known as: Miso
English: Mauka