A jerusalem artichoke (also called a sun choke) is anything but pretty. Even the part on the surface side isn't that remarkable.

This is the tuber under discussion:
http://windowboxherbs.50megs.com/jer...0artichoke.htm

Specifically this: http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Hom...tichoke-3.html
although it can often look like this
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/k...lem-artichoke/

I've no idea whether those products would work. I never have anything like it at home and the effects of the Jerusalem Artichoke strike hard and fast.

yamakake has given a great description of the probable causes - whether the tea or cider vinegar chaser inhibits the 'appetite' of the flora which digests inulin I have no idea.

I still have a few more tubers to eat (and they are far too delicious not to run the gauntlet) so I'll give the vinegar preventative remedy a try and report back.