How to Prepare Yucca Root for the Market

Yucca root must be properly prepared if it is to survive long enough to get to market.

The most important aspect of preparing yucca root for market is extending its shelf life. Unprepared yucca root begins to deteriorate roughly three to four days after harvest. If the root has been physically damaged during harvest, its shelf life may be as short as 24 hours. To extend the shelf life of yucca root long enough to endure transport to travel to market, it must be properly stored and prepared. This preparation begins even before the yucca root is harvested.

Things You'll Need

• Lopping shears
• Shovel
• Paraffin wax
• Double boiler
• Plastic bags
• Large container
• Organic mulch

Instructions

1. Cut the leaves of the yucca plant to within 3 to 4 inches of the ground two weeks before harvest. This step alone will help lengthen the yucca roots' shelf life to two weeks or more.

2. Dig the yucca root carefully. Give it a wide berth as you loosen the soil around it. Then pull it out by its cut foliage. Never push it out of the ground with a shovel. Any nicks or scratches in the yucca root's skin will cause it to quickly deteriorate.

3. Dip the roots in paraffin wax, heated in a double boiler to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the yucca root on wax paper to dry. Then place the treated yucca root in a plastic bag and store it in a cool dry place until it arrives at the market. This wax dip will prevent streaking and extend the shelf life to three or four weeks.

4. Pack yucca roots that you do not wish to dip in wax in moistened organic mulch. Layer the yucca root in the mulch so that there are at least 2 inches of moistened mulch in between each root. Stored this way, yucca root will last two to three weeks or longer.

5. Pull off the leaf tops of the yucca root immediately before presenting them at market.

References

• Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products: Cassava
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Post-Harvest Deterioration of Cassava
• The University of Queensland Australia: Handling and Melting of Paraffin Wax in Histology Practice