One cup of jicama provides 44% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.

Jicama is the root of a plant that produces beans, but the beans of the jicama plant are toxic. It has a papery golden-brown skin and a starchy white interior. Its flesh is juicy and crunchy, with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Some think it tastes like a cross between a potato and a pear. Others compare it to a water chestnut. With its mild taste and crunchy texture, it is an excellent addition to any salad.

Jicama originated in Mexico and is still a favorite snack all over the country. Other names for jicama include yam bean, Mexican potato, Mexican water chestnut and Chinese turnip. In Mexico, it is sold from street stands or prepared at home, slathered in lime juice and salt, usually with a lot of chili powder.