To distinguish this from other root vegetables, note that its brown, hairy skin has fine, dark rings that encircle it at regular intervals and thick roots that emerge at irregular intervals. When cut, the white flesh is flecked with purple.

All taros are heavy, dense, oval in shape, but vary in size. The two most common varieties are the Betel-Nut Taro (Bun long wu tau), up to 4 inches in diameter and a foot in length; and the Red-Budded Taro (Hoeng nga wu tau), 1-2 inches in diamater and often with a pink shoot beginning to emerge from one end.

Scrutinize the skin to be sure tubers have no soft spots or worm holes. Buds, if present, should be small and bright pink.