how do you tell the difference between a sweet potato and a yam

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. Do yams and sweet potatoes taste the same?
2. Which is healthier sweet potato or yam?
3. What does a yam look like?
4. Can you substitute yams for sweet potatoes?
5. Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?
6. Do Sweet potatoes have to be peeled before cooking?
7. When should you not eat sweet potatoes?
8. Are yams good for losing weight?
9. Why are sweet potatoes healthy?
10. How long does Yam take to cook?
11. Is Yam a potato?
12. Can diabetics eat yams?

Do yams and sweet potatoes taste the same?

Yams have some distinct characteristics that help distinguish them from sweet potatoes, mainly their size and skin. ... The flesh color varies from white or yellow to purple or pink in mature yams. Yams have a unique taste, too. Compared to sweet potatoes, yams are less sweet and much more starchy and dry.

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.

What does a yam look like?

Yams have a cylindrical shape with blackish or brown, bark-like skin and white, purple, or reddish flesh. Compared to sweet potatoes, yams are starchier and drier. They're carried in more grocery stores these days, but your best chance of finding them is to look in international and specialty markets.

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.

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.

Do Sweet potatoes have to be peeled before cooking?

You do not need to peel sweet potatoes before boiling. If leaving the peel on, you will need to pierce the skin of the potato with a fork a few times. Also, boiling a sweet potato with the peel will require slightly more time for it to cook through.

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.

Are yams good for losing weight?

One animal study found that yam extract reduced food intake, suggesting that these tubers may help reduce appetite and improve weight loss. The fiber in yams may promote weight loss as well (28).

Why are sweet potatoes healthy?

Because of their fiber and vitamin contents, sweet potatoes are often considered the healthier choice between the two. Sweet potatoes are likely healthier than regular potatoes. They have a lower GI, more fiber, and large amounts of beta carotene.

How long does Yam take to cook?

Fill the pot with just enough salted water to cover the yams and add a dash of salt. Bring to a boil and cook, covered for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. If you can pierce the flesh with a fork or knife, they're ready!

Is Yam a potato?

Yams are members of the genus Dioscorea and are in their own special family, Dioscoreaceae. They are tubers, like potatoes, and are mostly cultivated in tropical parts of the world. A number of different yam species are grown for food, and the large tubers range in color from white to yellow, pink, or purple!

Can diabetics eat yams?

Yams are diabetes-friendly as it aids to reduce the cells insulin resistance and thus, reduces the risk of contracting diabetes.