Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.

Bengkuang (Pachyrhizus erosus) is an annual climbing plant 2-6 meters long of the Fabaceae family, originating from Central and South America; the Aztecs even used its seeds as medicine centuries ago. The Spanish spread it to the Philippines in the 17th century before it entered Indonesia via Ambon. Its crisp tuber is now popular as a natural skin-brightening cosmetic ingredient as well as a fresh snack.

Grows well in lowlands up to elevations of 1,400 m above sea level with full sunlight, temperature 20-30 °C, rainfall between 1,300-1,700 mm/year, soil pH 4.5-8. Bengkuang is a plant that does not require much water.

• Stem hairy, trailing and twining, has fine segments, generally greenish to brownish in color, has new shoots around it.
• Leaves compound, with 3 leaflets, pinnate venation.
• Flowers blue or white calyx.
• Fruit has light brown skin and fruit flesh close to white in color.
• Seeds flat, nearly square-round shaped, olive green to brown or reddish-brown in color.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (cuttings and offshoot separation).
• Planting should be done at the start of the rainy season. The dry season between September and November is the ideal time to start soil preparation.
• Planting distance 15 x 15 cm or 20 x 20 cm.
• Shoots appear on the 7th to 10th day.
• The tuber should be harvested before the plant flowers.

Alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), pachyrhizon, rotenone, saponins, flavonoids, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, ascorbic acid.

Addresses digestive problems, boosts the immune system, good for diabetic diets, brightens skin, whitens the face, pain remedy.

• Wash bengkuang fruit thoroughly with running water.
• Slice the fruit into small pieces, then dry using an oven at 60 °C for 2 days.
• Once dry, grind the material using a blender.

Bangkuwang (Batak and Sunda), Singkuwang (Aceh), Jempingan (Bali), Uwi pisak (Lombok), Bengkowang (Java).