When it comes to vegetables, there are two main types: yams and sweet potatoes. Yams are a type of sweet potato, while sweet potatoes are a type of potato. They both come from the same plant, but their differences can be quite stark. For one, yams are typically smaller in size than sweet potatoes. This is because yams have a harder skin than sweet potatoes, which makes them less likely to turn into mashed potatoes or pie crusts when cooked. Additionally, yams tend to be redder in color than sweet potatoes. This is because they have more pigment in their skin than other vegetables. On the other hand, sweetness is not as important to yams as it is to sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be quite bland without any added sugar, while yams will often have some form of sweetness (usually honey or maple syrup) added to them. This makes for a more complex flavor when eating either vegetable. Overall, these differences make for interesting comparisons when it comes to choosing which vegetable to eat for dinner!
If you have observed, whether in the supermarkets, in cooking, and in casual conversations, sweet potatoes and yam are usually interchanged for a weird reason. But would you be surprised if we told you that these two vegetables are completely different? And would you believe it if we told you that there is a possibility that you thought you were eating a yam but it’s actually a potato? Even in their looks, they are also distinct. But they do share a similarity – they are both a root crop. Meaning, they similarly grow under the ground and are harvested through cultivating the soil How To Store Cut Sweet Potatoes
Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?
Here’s a brief explanation of why the two vegetables are always interchanged. According to many theories, during the time when African emigrated to the United States, they called sweet potatoes nyami, njam, or djambi which means “to eat” which produced the English word “yam”. This is because sweet potatoes look the same as yam, which is a common vegetable used in Caribbean cooking or the Africans. As it becomes popular, yams were introduced to the United States through African trading and called sweet potatoes for some reason. Ipomoea batatas is another term used. Another reason for the confusion is also because of the oca in New Zealand which is also called a yam. It also came from the famous “purple yam” of Okinawa, which is also a sweet potato and not a true yam. Singaporeans and Malaysians also refer to the “yam” as taro. Lastly, the United States refers to the dark-skinned potato as “yams” in order to distinguish it from paler sweet potatoes. No wonder why it is common in the said country to find sweet potatoes labeled as “yam” in the supermarkets. So, what is actually a sweet potato? And what is actually a yam? Let’s find out below!
What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?
Seriously though, what the heck is a yam, and is it the same as a sweet potato? The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) demands that the term “yam” should be accompanied by the term ‘sweet potato” To give you a quick guide regarding the differences between the two vegetables, here’s a list for you to read:
Sweet Potato
See how Long and What Temperature to Cook a Sweet Potatoe Flavor:
Has a versatile flavorSweet
Appearance:
Light-yellowOr purple skin and fleshOr pale skin with white fleshOr rose skin with orange fleshSharper edgesMoist when cooked
Nutrition: Packed with
PotassiumFibervitamin A
Origin:
Pacific regions
Yam
Flavor:
Starchier or potato-likeSweeter
Appearance:
Light-yellowDark-skinned or off-white on the outsideWhite, pink, yellow, or purple on the insideBigger in sizesMoister when cooked
Nutrition: Packed with
MagnesiumFibervitamin C
Origin:
African countries
What’s a sweet potato?
Sweetpotato belongs to the Ipomea family and is a common vegetable that is classified as a root vegetable. It comes in a variety of colors such as white, purple, and oranges. It also comes in different sizes. This root crop is known to be very high in fiber, which is helpful in easing digestive problems. Moreover, sweet potato is a popular vegetable in pacific regions such as the Philippines, Uganda, India, as well as in Central and South America. It grows in a hot, moist area usually sold as pre-peeled, cooked, frozen, or in cans. The darker-skinned and paler-skinned are the two types of sweet potato. The darker-skinned variety is commonly mistaken as a yam. It has a thicker, dark orange look – why they are sometimes referred to as an orange sweet potato and have a moist texture if cooked properly. The purple sweet potato also belongs to this variety as well as the Velvet, Goldrush, Georgia Red, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, morning glory family and Centennial – the regular potato. On the other hand, the paler-skinned has the same shape as the latter – elongated yellow or orange tubers that have pointed edges. This type of sweet potato has thin, light yellow skin, and pale yellow flesh. Its texture is similar to a white baking potato, which is crumby, dry, and not so sweet in taste. They are usually served in many different kinds because it is versatile in flavor. It can be served as cupcakes, cakes, loaves of bread, pies, and dessert. They can also be cooked in different ways such as toasted, fried, or grilled to add a saltier flavor to these sweet crops. While it is served as savory and sweet dishes, it is commonly baked, mashed, or fried. If you look into the Thanksgiving table, you would observe that sweet potatoes have become a staple, usually served as sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or even a sweet potato pie.
What are the nutritional facts of sweet potatoes?
It is a no-brainer how sweet potatoes are incredibly good for the body. According to the USDA, a 100 gram of sweet potatoes has:
3 grams of fiber4.2 grams of sugar337 mg of potassium20 grams of total carbohydrates86 calories283% vitamin A10% vitamin B-64% Calcium
- percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
What’s a yam?
The true yam is indigenous to Asian and African countries since it grows in tropical climates like the sweet potato. This vegetable belongs to Dioscorea batatas and currently has more or less a hundred varieties across the world. It is popular in Latin American and Caribbean markets, which has a rough, dark-skinned, off-white flesh that also comes in red colors as well. It is commonly called batata, boniato, and ñame in Spanish. Chances are low in finding a real yam at supermarkets in the United States. You may also find candied yam, It is a staple for African and is usually cooked in several ways like boiled, fried, or roasted. In comparison to sweet potatoes, yam tastes drier, starchy, and can be eaten raw. It is sweeter than sweet potatoes and can grow bigger as much as seven feet in length and 150 pounds in weight, making it more difficult to harvest, especially during ties of poor farming. Its shelf life runs around 6 months and is perfectly used as desserts, especially in countries like the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. One of the famous varieties of yam is the purple yam that is high in potassium and fiber. Yams are not very popular in some parts of the United States, especially in leading supermarkets. If you want to get one, you would have to go to African, Asian, or Caribbean stores.
What are the nutritional facts of yam?
Yam is also packed with all types of nutrients that you need for your body. According to the USDA, a 100 gram of yam has:
4.1 grams of fiber0.5 grams of sugar816 mg of potassium28 grams of total carbohydrates118 calories28% vitamin C5% magnesium2% vitamin A* percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Which is healthier – sweet potato or yam?
As you have seen in comparison of the nutritional facts of the yams vs sweet pototates, sweet potatoes are healthier because it has less carbohydrates and calories. It also contains a triple amount of vitamin C and vitamin A, which is essential to the body. Though yams are also healthy, however, sweet potatoes have higher concentrations of most vitamins and minerals.
Can you use yams in place of sweet potatoes?
Depending on your needs. Mostly, it can be difficult for sweet potatoes to be substituted, especially in baking and cooking. The two root crops have different textures and taste hence, it may affect your dish. Also, a yam is starchy and dry but sweet potato is the opposite – moist and very versatile in flavor.
Are canned yams and sweet potatoes the same?
Most of the canned yams found in the supermarkets are actually sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, those sweet, orange-colored, starchy veggies that you love are skinned sweet potatoes labeled as yam. Moreover, know that there are varieties of sweet potatoes hence, many of you might confuse one for yams.
What is the difference between ‘Roots’ and ‘Tubers’ – Starchy Tubers
The roots are compact, fleshy, parts of a plant that are planted underground, and contain more starch. Roots are also grown to bring nutrients and moisture from the soil while tubers are also roots that are larger in size, serve as storage vessels, and as a means to develop new plants. Plants grow tubers on their roots and stems. Sweet potatoes are considered to be root vegetables, however, it is generally classified as a tuberous root while yams are tuber (thick tubers) that have barklike skin.
Do sweet potatoes make you gain weight?
They can if you eat to many of them
Why do bodybuilders eat sweet potatoes?
As a relatively high starchy, sugar vegetable – they eat them when they want to bulk up.
How do you tell if a yam is bad?
Check the surface for any spoilage marks or spots – do not buy yams if they have cracks in the skin or have been dropped.
Can diabetics eat yams?
Yes. Yams are rich in fiber hence, it is appropriate for weight loss and does not create any sharp increase in insulin response. As you can see above, yams have even lesser sugar content than sweet potatoes. A 100 grams of yam only contain 0.5 grams of sugar according to the USDA.
Conclusion
We hope that this article – the differences between sweet potatoes and yam – has added knowledge to you. We look forward to your next grocery shopping believing that you will finally identity the yam from sweet potato. Make sure to not forget the written differences above, especially their appearances.
