It can be added to salads and has a radish-like crunch. Johnson is also exploring the possibility of using it in the snack chip industry. Yacon consists primarily of inulin sugar, which is not easily digestible by humans. It therefore tastes sweet, but lacks calories. Because of this, it has become popular in Brazil, where it is used as an alternative food for diabetics.
Commercial development is in the initial stages.
Currently, Johnson has only enough seed for experimental purposes, but he plans to increase the supply as quickly as possible. He may have seed available for the 2001 season. Johnson anticipates that yacon could be ready for commercial planting in 2002 or 2003. Maca is also a tuber, resembling a small beet, and has the potential to be easily cultivated. Even though it is quite nutritious, it may find a larger market as a medicinal herb than as a food crop.