Aldi shoppers discover ‘rare to find’ Japanese potato as longevity expert claims it’s the secret to living to 100
A Japanese mum living in Australia has discovered a popular street snack at Aldi – with longevity experts claiming it could hold the secret to living to 100.
Japanese expat Hannah was ‘excited’ when she stumbled across a pack of red sweet potatoes at her local Aldi store in Brisbane. A kilo of red sweet potato costs between $5.49 and $6.99 at Aldi.
Known as a ‘superfood’, the sweet potato has red skin and creamy yellow flesh – unlike the orange variety Aussies are familiar with.
‘This is the sweet potato I grew up eating in Japan. We call it yaki-imo. They’re naturally sweet, no sugar needed,’ Hannah said on Instagram.
‘In Australia, you usually see orange sweet potatoes but did you know you can get Japanese-style sweet potatoes at Aldi? In Japan, this is the kind we eat.
‘My favourite way to eat yaki-imo is just baked in the oven. And they’re so easy to make. Just wash them, wrap them in foil and bake at 160°C for 90 minutes.
‘They’re so delicious, you’ve got to try them.’
Sweet potatoes have been a staple of the Japanese diet for decades, particularly in Okinawa, a Blue Zone home to some of the world’s longest-living people.
A Japanese mum living in Australia has discovered a popular street snack sold at Aldi – with longevity experts claiming it’s the secret to living to 100
According to Dan Buettner, an American National Geographic Fellow, sweet potatoes have been scientifically proven to significantly boost life expectancy
According to Dan Buettner, an American National Geographic Fellow, sweet potatoes have been scientifically proven to significantly boost life expectancy.
The 66-year-old best-selling author has spent decades studying some of the world’s longest-living populations. He insists the secret to reaching 100 isn’t found in expensive supplements or workouts, but rather in what you eat.
‘Sweet potatoes are eaten by the longest-lived people in the history of the world in Okinawa. About 70 per cent of their calories came from sweet potatoes,’ he said.
‘They are nutrition bombs, full of complex carbohydrates, fibre and even have some protein. They also regulate sugar.
He said the root vegetable is an ‘excellent source’ of beta carotene, which your body can convert into vitamin A.
‘Consuming a large sweet potato can fulfil over 100 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A,’ Dan said.
‘Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision and skin. Incorporating sweet potatoes into your diet can support eye health and contribute to overall longevity.’
Japanese expat Hannah was ‘excited’ when she stumbled across a pack of red sweet potatoes at her local Aldi store in Brisbane
Many shoppers were surprised to discover Aldi sold red sweet potatoes, while others reminisced about enjoying the street snack in Japan and Korea.
‘I used to live in Tokyo and my three-year-old and I used to get yaki-imo after the supermarket run every time to enjoy while we put away shopping. She still loves them now we’re back in Australia,’ one shared.
‘I have eaten hot sweet potatoes on the streets of Seoul, Korea in winter. You buy them from little carts where they cook them in special ovens. Yummy,’ another said.
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Many Aldi shoppers said they’re one of their favourite supermarket finds.
‘Love these sweet potatoes. I actually prefer these to the orange ones but rarely find them in the grocery store,’ one revealed.
Okinawa is famous for its distinctive sweet potato varieties, particularly the iconic purple beni-imo.
Its bright purple flesh is typically sweeter than that of other varieties and is widely used in tarts, ice cream and baked goods.
