Portokolokason - Jerusalem artichoke, Topinambur
Κόνδυλοι του ηλίανθου Helianthus Tuberosus
Known in the old days as yer elmasin, portokolokason is regaining its glory in gourmet menus.
Name - Origin
Cypriot name of food
Πορτοκολόκασον, γλυκοκολόκασον, γερέλμασι. Portokolókason, glykokolókason, yer elmasi.
Greek name - description
Αγκινάρα Ιερουσαλήμ. A type of sweet potato, small in size with an irregular shape that belongs to the species Helianthus tuberosus.
Language remarks
Portokolókason was named after the other popular bulb of Cyprus, kolokasi (taro root). It is also called glykokolókason due to its sweet taste (Kythraiotou 2011)
The bulbs of the plant are called kómbi (Petasis 1992, 256).
Processing method
See entry: Yer elmasi in the Food section.
Additional information and bibliography
Time period
19th -21st c.
Bibliography
Kythraiotou F., 2011, Nicosia.
Petasis, G. (1992). Η κωμόπολη της Κυθρέας: ιστορική, αρχαιολογική, πολιτιστική και λαογραφική επισκόπηση, Stelios Livadiotis Ltd., Nicosia.
Researcher/Recorder
Florentia Kythraiotou
