JI ONA – All You Need to Know About Bitter Yam | Three Leaved Yam | Cluster Yam | Health Benefits of Bitter Yam
JI ONA cluster yam is an Igbo delicacy known as three-leaf yam or bitter yam in English scientifically called dioscorea dumetorum It’s meaty and looks like sweet potatoes. It is known as Nni ndi okenyi, which means adult food and In Yoruba, bitter yam is known as “Esuru.” Ji Ona belongs to the genus dioscoreacae family.
The nutritional and phytochemical qualities of the bitter yam got improved by increasing the boiling time. Ji Ona is usually cooked overnight, you cannot eat Ji Ona the same day it’s been cooked.
Bitter yam (dioscorea dumetorum) should not be confused with Air potato (dioscorea bulbifera) or Wild yam (dioscorea villosa).
What is JI ONA? – All You Need to Know About Cluster Yam | Bitter Yam
JI Ona also called bitter yam, cluster yam or three-leaved yam is an edible tuber. The bitter yam is a native plant to Africa, especially in Nigeria. It contains a fleshy, potato-like root (tuber) that is utilized as food or as medicine.
JI ONA is a diabetic patient’s preferred diet as well as a herbal therapy for a variety of conditions including diabetes, stomach pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual issues.
Health Benefits of Bitter Yam – Ji Ona | Cluster Yam
- Bitter yam is high in iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc, all of which are vital minerals in the food.
- Chemicals found in bitter yam also help to reduce blood sugar levels.
- It has saponins, which help to decrease cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Dihydrodiscorine isoclines, a cardiac stimulant, and dioscorcoretine have been found in it.
- Nigerian herbal healers have been seen to employ Discorea dumentorum tuber for medical diabetic therapy.
- Ji Ona helps relieves stomach pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
- Three leaf yam is good for pregnant women
- Bitter yam is good for detoxification
How to Cook Ji Ona (Dioscorea Dumetorum) – Bitter Yam | Cluster Yam
Ingredients
- 4 bunch Cluster Yam (Ji Ona Bitter Yam)
- water (Enough water)
Method of Cooking Ji Ona (Dioscorea Dumetorum) – Bitter Yam | Cluster Yam
- Firstly, detach it from the bunch, don’t cut just leave it on its whole form not minding the size.
- Secondly, wash thoroughly to remove sand and until water runs clean on lt.
- Thirdly, get a deep big pot and transfer the bitter yam into the pot, pour in plenty of water to cover the yams twice, and cook overnight for up to 2 hours (Ji Ona is usually cooked overnight, you cannot eat Ji Ona same day its been cooked).
- Finally, the next morning add in more water and continue boiling for another 30-45 minutes. At this point, your cluster yam is well cooked.
Remove from heat and sieve out the water return back to the pot cover and set aside.
How to Prepare Ncha for Ji Ona – Igbo Palm Oil Sauce for Ji Ona
Ingredients
- 100ml Palm Oil
- 1 level teaspoon ground akaun (Potash)
- Chili Pepper/ any hot pepper (to taste)
Method of Preparing Ncha for Ji Ona – Igbo Palm Oil Sauce for Ji Ona
- Gently dissolve your ground akaun (potash) with 5-6 tablespoonfuls of water and then pass through a sieve to remove particles coming from the akaun. Thereafter, set the liquid aside for later use.
- Next is to pour the palm oil into a clean dry pot, add gently the potash liquid and mix until the color begins to change from orange to yellow and the mixture becomes a thick paste.
- At this point, your Mmanu or Nmanu Ncha is ready to be served with your Ona Yam.
Serve and enjoy!!!
Side Effect of Bitter Yam – Ji Ona | Dioscorea Dumetorum
When dioscorea dumetorum are eaten unprocessed, undercooked, or raw bitter yam poisoning can develop and becomes harmful to the body.
