Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius)
ヤーコン (Yākon)
Why source from Japan
Japanese yacon cultivation matured 1990s-2000s with locally-adapted cultivars and FOS-standardised processing; FFC notifications support functional retail positioning.
Key spec
Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) 60-70% dry weight; potassium 200-300 mg/100g; very low glycemic index.
Typical end-product
Yacon syrup as low-GI sweetener, yacon-cha (tea) for digestive-positioned retail, FOS-standardised supplements.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg fresh; 10–50 kg dried; 5–25 kg syrup / extract
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Ibaraki, Nagano, Hokkaido, Tochigi
- Category
- functional-food-ingredients
- Harvest season
- October – December (frost-sensitive harvest)
- Japan regulatory status
- FFC notifications exist (digestive-health); food product status
- Japanese name
- ヤーコン
- Romaji
- Yākon
About this ingredient
Andean tuber introduced to Japan in the 1980s and now cultivated commercially in Ibaraki, Nagano, and Hokkaido. Functional positioning centres on fructooligosaccharide (FOS) content — yacon roots are 60-70% FOS, the highest naturally-occurring concentration of any commonly-cultivated crop. FFC notifications support digestive-health and metabolic positioning. Sold fresh as a salad-and-juicing tuber, dried as yacon-cha (yacon tea), and processed into syrup as a low-glycemic natural sweetener. Distinct from existing 'kuzu-starch' and 'mochigome' carbohydrate-related entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | FFC notifications exist (digestive-health); food product status |
|---|---|
| EU | Novel Food consideration where pre-1997 EU history absent |
| United States | GRAS (FOS established); DSHEA NDI for supplement-grade |
| China | Imported tuber; GACC food facility registration; phytosanitary certificate |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Nattokinase
ナットウキナーゼ
Serine protease from Bacillus subtilis var. natto source; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg (concentrated powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Yomogi (Japanese Mugwort)
ヨモギ
Artemisia princeps (mainland) / Artemisia indica (Okinawan Fuchiba) source; INCI Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract; MOQ from 1-100 kg (dried); 100 g – 10 kg (extract).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier EU regulatory path
Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in EU. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Hatomugi (Job's Tears) Extract
ハトムギエキス
Coixenolide 0.05-0.15% in standardised extracts; coixol 0.1-0.3%; protein 13-18% (seed dry weight).
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
Yomogi (Japanese Mugwort)
ヨモギ
Artemisia princeps (mainland) / Artemisia indica (Okinawan Fuchiba) source; INCI Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract; MOQ from 1-100 kg (dried); 100 g – 10 kg (extract).
Simpler in EU· shares 3 categories
Japanese Jujube
日本産ナツメ
Ziziphus jujuba source; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg (dried); 100 g – 1 kg (extract).
Simpler in EU· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Maitake D-Fraction Extract
舞茸 D-フラクション
Beta-1,6-glucan content typically 25-40% in standardised extracts; molecular weight 200-1,000 kDa.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Yamabushitake (Lion's Mane Mushroom)
ヤマブシタケ
Hericenone / erinacine content varies by fruiting body vs mycelium; beta-glucan 25-50% in standardised extracts.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05