Dried Sweet Potatoes from Fuxi

Dried Sweet Potatoes from Fuxi

　　Sweet potatoes, also known as yams, red potatoes, white potatoes, batatas, or boniato, are annual plants of the Convolvulaceae family and are a healthy food that serves both culinary and medicinal purposes. They are rich in dietary fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as over ten trace elements such as potassium, iron, copper, selenium, and calcium, making them highly nutritious. Nutritionists have called them one of the most balanced health foods. Many beauty-conscious girls feel that sweet potatoes are sweet and worry that eating too much might cause weight gain. Professor Zhang Hude from the Health Preservation Department at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine explains that not only does eating sweet potatoes not lead to weight gain, but on the contrary, they can aid in weight loss, improve fitness, prevent sub-health conditions, and help relieve constipation and detoxify the body. Each 100 grams of fresh sweet potato contains only 0.2 grams of fat and generates 99 kilocalories of energy, which is about one-third that of rice. It is a great low-fat, low-calorie food. At the same time, it effectively prevents carbohydrates from turning into fat, which is beneficial for weight loss and fitness. Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, which cannot be digested or absorbed in the intestines but can stimulate the gut, enhance peristalsis, and promote bowel movements and detoxification—especially effective for treating age-related constipation.

　　Dried Sweet Potatoes: Available in strips or chunks, these have an orange-red color and a sweet, mild taste. They offer both dietary and medicinal benefits such as improving blood circulation, nourishing the body, aiding digestion and bowel movements, and replenishing qi and body fluids.

　　Sweet potatoes can also be dried:

　　Method for Making Dried Sweet Potatoes: The main ingredient is the sweet potato. Typically, the whole sweet potato is steamed, peeled, then pressed and baked.

　　Consumption and Medicinal Uses of Dried Sweet Potatoes: They are high in glucose as well as vitamins A and B. Research shows that dried sweet potatoes have a relatively balanced nutrition profile, with protein efficiency similar to that of milk. Although their sulfur-containing amino acids and tryptophan are relatively low, other important amino acid components are abundant. Especially notable are their rich content of dietary fiber and the essential mineral selenium, which holds specific health benefits—factors that have drawn considerable attention from nutritionists and public health experts. They can be eaten as snacks or further processed with seasonings into side dishes for banquets. The dried sweet potatoes from Fuxi in Huangshan are bright red in color and sweet in taste, with a soft yet chewy texture. These dried sweet potatoes benefit from the region’s unique natural conditions, preserving their natural color and quality. They feature a yellowish-red hue, a fragrant and sweet taste, a soft and durable chewiness, and high levels of glucose and vitamins A and B. The typical production method involves steaming whole sweet potatoes, peeling them, then pressing and baking them. They can be eaten as snacks or cut into small pieces, mixed with flour, eggs, and spices, deep-fried, and then coated with rock sugar powder to serve as a signature banquet dish. Therefore, dried sweet potatoes truly make an excellent gift for family and friends.