JI
Jicama
HEE-kuh-muh • taproot tuber
🟢 Non-Climacteric (Vine Only)
🛡 Low Ethylene
How to Tell if Jicama is Ripe
Store CheckJicama is a non-climacteric fruit and does NOT ripen after being picked. It will only soften or rot. Buy it ready to eat.
👁 Visual Checks
- Look for uniform color without green under-tones
- Check for matte/dull skin rather than shiny plastic finish
- Look for natural sugar spots or field marks
✋ Tactile & Aroma
- Heft: Should feel heavy for its size (indicates juice content)
- Give: Slight yield under gentle palm pressure, never thumb poking
- Aroma: Fragrant sweet smell at the stem end
How to Store Jicama
Optimal Spot
pantry
Shelf Life (Ripe)
14–30 Days
Ethylene Sensitivity
High (Isolate)
Storage Protocol: Store immediately in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Keep away from high ethylene emitters like bananas and apples.
Peak Seasonality & Harvest Geography
USDA / AMS Verified
Harvested in autumn and winter; stored tubers keep shelves stocked year-round.
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Global Growing Geography:
Central America and tropical regions, led by Mexico, Central America, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico
Common Varieties & PLU Codes
| Variety Name | PLU Codes | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Jicama de Agua | 4256 | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Jicama de Leche | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
Kitchen Pairings & Chef Hacks
Flavor Pairings
TajínLime JuiceCucumbersMangoesCilantroChili PowderAvocados
Chef Hacks & Prep Tricks
💡 Lime & Tajín Snack: Slice jicama into thick batons, squeeze fresh lime juice over top, and dust liberally with Tajín for the ultimate Mexican street snack.
💡 Stay-Crisp Salad Addition: Jicama does not brown or lose its crunch after slicing, making it ideal for advance meal-prep slaws and salsas.
Pocket Encyclopedia
Never buy under-ripe fruit again.
Carry tactile ripeness indicators, PLU barcode decoders, seasonal radar, and ethylene storage charts offline in your pocket.
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Compare sweetness, sugar content, and glycemic indicators against other fruits.