At times, things can get a little confusing in the kitchen. One of the questions that many people have is in regards to the difference between sweet potatoes and yams. The short answer is… There isn’t typically a difference because they are all sweet potatoes! That is, of course, unless you encounter a true yam, but that isn’t likely to happen in the US.
At this point, you may have some rather interesting conspiracy theories running through your head. After all, when you look at the grocery store, you will see that there are some orangey potatoes that are marked as “yams.” If they aren’t yams, what is?
A true yam is a tuber of a tropical plant. You don’t typically find them in the United States, as they are native to other parts of the world, such as South America, the Pacific and Africa. The size and shape of a true yam may vary from one area to another and in some cases, they can be as large as 100 pounds! They tend to be scaly and rough and they don’t have near the same amount of beta-carotene as the sweet potatoes found in your local supermarket.
If there is a difference between your local supermarket “yam” and a true yam, why are they called by the same name? It has to do with marketing… what doesn’t?
When orange fleshed sweet potatoes first came to the United States in the 1930s, they were labeled by the English form of the African word “nyami” but in the marketing campaigns, they were known as yams. This was done to differentiate between the common sweet potato with white flesh and the orange fleshed sweet potato.
Interesting, isn’t it? Now on with the meat and potatoes of the article…
When you purchase a sweet potato, look for those that are firm and smooth. When you bring them home, don’t make the mistake of putting them in the refrigerator. Store them in a cool, dry place. If you do put them in the refrigerator, the center of the potato may remain firm, even after it’s cooked. You may also want to remove them from the plastic bag, as I’ve found they rot more quickly when stored in it.
It doesn’t matter what you call them, they are fantastic on the dinner table! The fact that they are called “sweet” potatoes may just be more of a psychological issue, because no one tends to notice when you substitute the white fleshed sweet potatoes for russet potatoes.
Typically, you’re not going to notice a difference in the taste between the orange sweet potato (yam) or the white. In many cases, the white sweet potato may be slightly less sweet and more firm when cooking, so keep that in mind, depending upon the recipe.
White fleshed sweet potatoes can also be a part of a limited carb diet, as long as you don’t go overboard! Many people who avoid grains find that they are beneficial as well. You can use sweet potatoes instead of lasagna noodles or make them into a breakfast hash. If you want a simple treat, bake the sweet potato in the skin and add butter… Nothing else is needed!
Something else that can be done with sweet potatoes is to purée them. The flavor is unique, but it can be substituted for pumpkin in a pumpkin pie. In some parts of world, sweet potato pie is considered a delicacy and if you have ever tried it, you will no doubt agree!
Whatever you call them or however you use them, the sweet potato is a great part of your diet. Add some to your daily meals and never look back again!
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