I read the Konjac posts with interest. I am a second-year member and live in Japan. Konnyaku as a food product is very common here and should probably be considered an important part of the ordinary Japanese diet. Supermarkets offer it in a variety of shapes, flavors, etc. I was given 2 or 3 tubers a number of years ago and grew them in my garden. Last year, we purchased a 2-kg package (6 tubers) from an internet supplier and made our own konnyaku in the kitchen with great results. I also saw the tubers at a local vegetable market. According to Makino, it is native to southern Vietnam and, as a food product, is perhaps available in markets in many Asian countries. Makino also list a species native to Japan (semi-tropical areas) that I was unfamiliar with: A. kiusianus. The genus is of course related to Arisaema (a number of species of which grow locally), Pinellia, etc. Ron Ringdahl Ito, Japan (climate probably similar to so. California) I thought Amorphophallus is on the endangered list. Jo Canning -----Original Message----- From: pbs<pbs-bounces@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> On Behalf Of James Waddick Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 3:23 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society<pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] Konjac Dear Judy and all, These noodles are called shirataki or konjaku or konnyaku. They are made from the Amorphophallus konjac tuber. They have NO calories, NO gluten, NO carbohydrate. They are a non-digestible fiber found in the tuber. Beware: according to some they have either NO flavor or an unpleasant flavor and odor that may, or may not, be removed by pre-boiling and rinsing. Because they have an uncommon make up some people have various expression of dietary distress without getting too illustrative. Some people have a strong reaction, but just ‘passing’ if you get my drift. I shop frequently in Asian Markets and just haven’t brought myself to try them. They may be packed wet in a liquid (I think the CA Hydroxide is a ‘preservative of sorts) or dried. Some folks consider them the perfect dietary food as they have no nutritive value, but give you a full stomach. _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…