Category: Botanical guide

With more than 1,200 species in the Syzygium genus, the flavor of its fruit is anything but uniform. The taste can range from intensely floral and sweet to mild, watery, and even astringent, depending on the specific species and ripeness.

Native American peoples and Mormon settlers in the Southwest historically used two distinct plants to brew herbal beverages. This fact is critical to understanding the difference, as Cota tea is not the same as Mormon tea, despite common name confusion. The two teas come from unrelated plants and have different traditional uses and chemical properties.

A common misconception is that all yams are starchy root vegetables, but the edible jicama, often called a Mexican yam, is actually a member of the bean family, not a true yam. This culinary favorite is one potential answer to the question, "What is the name of a Mexican yam?", though it's important to know the crucial botanical distinctions.