Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams

The skin of a yam (left) looks kind of like tree bark, while a sweet potato (right) is more reddish-brown. Real yams are entirely different root vegetables that are more like yucca in texture and flavor. They have bumpy, tough brown skin (that looks almost tree trunk-like) with starchy, not sweet flesh.

1. Which is healthier sweet potato or yam?
2. Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?
3. Can you substitute yams for sweet potatoes?
4. Are yams and potatoes the same thing?
5. When should you not eat sweet potatoes?
6. Can you eat sweet potatoes raw?
7. Why sweet potatoes are bad for you?
8. Are sweet potatoes from Africa?
9. What is the sweetest sweet potato?
10. Why are sweet potatoes more expensive than yams?
11. Are sweet potatoes healthier than regular potatoes?
12. Why is my sweet potato white?

Which is healthier sweet potato or yam?

Yams are native to Africa and Asia, and there are more than 600 varieties. ... Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than yams. Sweet potatoes and yams are both healthy foods, and they look similar. Sweet potatoes, however, have higher concentrations of most nutrients and more fiber.

Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?

When soft varieties were first grown commercially, there was a need to differentiate between the two. African slaves had already been calling the 'soft' sweet potatoes 'yams' because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, 'soft' sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from the 'firm' varieties.

Can you substitute yams for sweet potatoes?

Though you're not likely to find true yams at your grocery store, yams and sweet potatoes are interchangeable in most recipes.

Are yams and potatoes the same thing?

Yams grow from a regular potato size to gigantic proportions of nearly 5 feet long! The skin of a true yam is tougher and bark like and the flesh is white, red or purplish in color. ... Often, the copper skinned sweet potato is referred to as yam, or sweet potato yam, and these are a firmer version of sweet potatoes.

When should you not eat sweet potatoes?

As sweet potatoes begin to spoil, they will shrivel (like the one on the photo above) as they lose moisture. The veggie will then become mushy and turn brown or black. Do not eat sweet potatoes once they have begun to shrivel, and certainly not past this point.

Can you eat sweet potatoes raw?

While sweet potatoes can safely be eaten raw, certain types of yams are only safe to eat when cooked. Naturally occurring plant proteins found in yams can be toxic and cause illness if consumed raw.

Why sweet potatoes are bad for you?

If swapping sweet potatoes for white potatoes, you'll still want to go easy on the portions: Though sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta carotene, they have a high glycemic index and glycemic load—almost as high as that of a white potato.

Are sweet potatoes from Africa?

In several African countries, including Uganda and Mozambique, subsistence farmers grow a lot of sweet potatoes. They've been doing it for centuries, ever since the Portuguese brought the first sweet potatoes here from Latin America. The sweet potatoes that arrived in Africa, however, were white or yellow.

What is the sweetest sweet potato?

Sweet potato varieties with orange or red skin and deep orange flesh, including Red Garnet (our favorite) and Jewel, cook up sweet and moist. Sweet potato varieties with tan or purple skin, such as Sweet Hannah, Japanese, and Purple, bake up dry and starchy, more like russet potatoes.

Why are sweet potatoes more expensive than yams?

Sweet potatoes or yams or boniatos are more expensive than potatoes in countries where white/gold/blue potatoes are grown in huge quantities. Demand for sweet potatoes is irregular and inconstant, higher in some holiday seasons. ... Demand for sweet potatoes is irregular and inconstant, higher in some holiday seasons.

Are sweet potatoes healthier than regular potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are often touted as being healthier than white potatoes, but in reality, both types can be highly nutritious. While regular and sweet potatoes are comparable in their calorie, protein, and carb content, white potatoes provide more potassium, whereas sweet potatoes are incredibly high in vitamin A.

Why is my sweet potato white?

Proper yams typically have brown skin and white or purple flesh, whereas sweet potatoes have orange flesh. If your sweet potato is white, you probably have a yam. Yams and sweet potatoes are very similar in taste and texture, though yams are slightly less sweet and have a drier texture.