Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) The flavor of jicama is mild, lightly sweet, and slightly nutty. It's tastes like a cross between an apple, a potato, a water chestnut, and a pear. Because it's mild and starchy, it blends well with other flavors, especially in its raw form. Pachyrhizus erosus, commonly known as jícama or Mexican turnip, is a native Mexican vine, although the name jícama most commonly refers to the plant's edible tuberous root. It is in the pea family. Pachyrhizus tuberosus and Pachyr