Beauregard. As a cure to Asthma Sweet potato varieties are classified as either ‘firm’ or ‘soft’. I buy the deep orange with the reddy brown outside and always thought it was a true yam. The famed "purple yam" of Okinawa is also a sweet potato and not a true yam. Their scientific name is Dioscorea, and they originate in Africa and Asia. As it melts into your potato, all your problems may melt away too. African slaves who came to the US called the local sweet potato “nyami,” which translates to “yam” in English. For example, sweet potatoes have fairly high levels of oxalates. Meanwhile, the health benefits of yams have not been extensively studied. Sweet potatoes originated in North America, first joining market shelves alongside the white potato as far back as the late 1600s. However, with a wide variety of both yams and sweet potatoes in existence, there is considerable overlap when it comes to flavor and texture.Sweet potatoes, especially orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, are almost always sweeter than yams, but both vegetables are versatile and can have their f… Both sweet potatoes and yams have decent amounts of other micronutrients, such as B vitamins, which are vital for many bodily functions, including producing energy and creating DNA. Cooking advice that works. One study in 22 postmenopausal women found that a high intake of yams over 30 days improved hormone levels, reduced LDL cholesterol and increased antioxidant levels (17). Add a bit of salt. Part 3. The various sweet potato varieties have skins ranging from a reddish brown or orangeish brown, to a soft white, beige, or tan, to even purple-skinned varieties. And in New Zealand, the oca is called a yam. Over 600 varieties of yams are known, and 95% of these are still grown in Africa. But back then, the sweet potato was also white or yellow in color. Eating purple sweet potatoes is also extremely good for you. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do you call sweet potatoes "yams"? People very often confuse sweet potatoes with yams, using the terms interchangeably. A yam is a starchy root of the Dioscorea genus which can be eaten in several ways. Sweet potatoes that have brown, red-orange, or white skin with orange or white flesh are native to Colombia and southern Central America. What are the most common types of sweet potatoes? Yams and sweet potatoes have differences in both appearance, taste and origin. Despite its popularity, soy remains a controversial food. It's all a facade! Restaurant recommendations you trust. Surprisingly, sweet potatoes are only remotely related to potatoes. Here are 8 tasty fish…. Yams have a starchier, drier texture but might be harder to find. Sweet potato vs yam. It can also be puréed and used in soups and desserts. Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes have been described as having a mildly sweet, floral taste. the thing that I’m having the hardest time finding out is the nutritional info on the “yam” Are the carbs the same as the sweet potato or do they fall under the yam nutrition profile. These nutrients are important for good bone health, proper functioning of the heart, growth and metabolism (6, 7). With deep purple skin and flesh, these sweet potatoes are fairly dry in the middle and not very sweet, making them better for use in recipes than for eating by themselves. Sweet potato varieties fall into two distinct categories, which are firm and soft. The skin of a yam (left) looks kind of like tree bark, while a sweet potato (right) is more reddish-brown. The confusion between yams and sweet potatoes actually began in the U.S. Firm types of sweet potatoes were grown in the U.S. first. Tips for Buying, Storing and Cooking With Sweet Potatoes. They have bumpy, tough brown skin (that looks almost tree trunk-like) with starchy, not sweet flesh. Sweet potatoes are tapered and prolonged vegetables, covered with smooth skin, which color varies from beige, yellow, orange to red, purple or brown. Peeling and cooking yams thoroughly will remove any harmful substances (19). This article takes a look at the…, Though rice is conventionally cooked before consumption, some people wonder whether you can eat rice raw. To prevent the color from bleeding out when cooking, Heck suggests roasting, sautéeing, or frying purple sweet potatoes. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Purple sweet potatoes are some of the most interesting and colorful vegetables you can cook. So, what's the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? They also tend to have a good shelf life. The yam is a monocot from the Dioscoreaceae family that is related to lilies and grasses. However, certain varieties store better than others. Compared to sweet potatoes, yams are lower in beta carotene, starchier, and drier. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Purple yams are found in Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines and are often used in desserts. Shoppers and foodies alike often confuse these varieties based on skin color, flesh color, different names and … The sweet, rich flavor of a sweet potato won’t work in a dish suited to the relatively bland, dry yam. A few reasons can explain how this mix-up happened. Reprinted from Sweet Potatoes. They are cylindrical in shape with brown, rough, bark-like skin that is difficult to peel, but it softens after heating. Purple Sweet Potato Seeds, 100pcs/pack. Their flesh is a deep purple and their skin has a light, purple hue. Depending on the type, the flesh can range from white to orange to even purple. It differs greatly from the sweetpotato in taste, texture, appearance and family. A raw sweet potato contains water (77%), carbohydrates (20.1%), protein (1.6%), fiber (3%) and almost no fat (4). In Africa, they are most often boiled, roasted or fried. As a staple on the Thanksgiving table, it’s most often served as a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or sugar or made into a sweet potato pie. This organization promotes research in the science of sweet potato horticultural practices, processes and technologies to ensure the best quality produce for its members and consumers across the globe. Sweet potatoes typically have brown skin and orange flesh but also come in purple, yellow, and red varieties. She notes there will be "subtle differences in flavor, sweetness, and moisture" between Beauregard (brown skin, more deeply sweet, grown in Louisiana), Garnet (red skin, more like pumpkin flavor), and Jewel (coppery-orange skin, mildly sweet and earthy, California-grown). Yams are native to Asia and Africa, they are related to lilies and grow as roots of a flowering plant. Precautions must also be taken when preparing yams. The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI) is a non-profit organization that promotes the sweet potato industry of the United States to both foreign and domestic buyers. So what is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? Garnet The flesh also varies depending on the type from purple to orange or to white. Yams can be bought in a number of forms, including whole, powder or flour and as a supplement. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart … However, they are a staple food in other countries, particularly those in Africa. If stored correctly in a cool, dry place, they can keep for up to 2–3 months. Purple Sweet Potatoes. Then add in the coconut milk. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. In Malaysia and Singapore, "yam" refers to taro. Purple sweet potatoes have super amped-up anthocyanins like blueberries, which are great for both color and antioxidants. This article reviews all you need to…, Despite the popularity of pairing bananas with milk, many believe that this combination may not quite be a match made in heaven. While sweet potatoes can safely be eaten raw, certain types of yams are only safe to eat when cooked. In fact, potatoes are so commonly consumed in average households in all parts of the world that it has become the 4th … Okinawan sweet potatoes on the other hand are available year round. To decode the difference between these veggies, you must know about them first. Purple and red potatoes are unique in the fact that they are packed with antioxidants. All You Need to Know. The GI of a food gives an idea of how slowly or quickly it impacts your blood sugar levels. So in case you've ever been tempted, take care not to substitute a sweet potato for an Idaho willy nilly; in some cases it may work … These include wild Mexican yam, colic root or Chinese yam. They have a dusky-red skin color with a deep orange interior. Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are available for the majority of the year — late August through late spring. Combine the purple sweet potato and tapioca: once you have them both cooked, combine the purple sweet potato and tapioca in a large pot with water. Purple sweet potato benefits are plentiful, making this variation to the normal sweet potato worth seeking out. The same is true for purple sweet potatoes due to the fact that there is also a purple variety of yam. Yams have a unique taste, too. Yams are more easily compared to the texture and flavor of white russet potatoes (with more fiber and complex carbs) and are best boiled and served alongside hearty braised meats. The many varieties of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are members of the morning glory family, Convolvulacea. Both. Sweet potatoes and yams that we find in the States are really all sweet potatoes. Often, the copper skinned sweet potato is referred to as yam, or sweet potato yam, and these are a firmer version of sweet potatoes. It’s important to remember that this was a small study, and more evidence is needed to confirm these health benefits. So why all the confusion? In that case, a substitution would likely suffice. Treat white sweet potatoes like russets and fry 'em. Its Japanese name is beni-imo. In the US, true yams can be tough to find. Yams and Taro are not of the same family as sweet potato. Potato vs Yam . This article reviews whether mayo is safe when…, Fish sauce is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but if you're out or don't like the taste, there are plenty of alternatives. They belong to different plant families and are only distantly related. While presenting Okinawan sweet potato nutrition facts, this Buzzle article also describes the exceptional health benefits of this ancient diet staple. The flesh color varies from white or yellow to purple or pink in mature yams. Purple sweet purple contains high carbohydrate so it can replace rice. However, Japanese yams have a stouter, rounded shape as opposed to an elongated one. Anti bacteria; There are many health benefits of sweet purple potatoes – Purple sweet potato anti-bacterial activity reached 3.2 times higher than various types of blueberries. Yam VS. Sweet Potato. Vitamins Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, packing almost 700% of the recommended daily value in one medium potato; all the others have none. In fact, one 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of sweet potato will supply you with almost all of your daily recommended amount of vitamin A, which is important for normal vision and the immune system (4). Sweet potato … Visually speaking, yams grow in Asia and Africa and tend to have a paler flesh. They cook very differently. At the grocer, the copper skinned sweet potato is labeled as a yam, but is it really a yam? © 2021 Condé Nast. Copyright © 2017 by Mary-Frances Heck. In parts of the United States where yams are not popular, most major supermarkets don't carry them--to find yams you'd have to go to specialty markets selling C… The orange sweet potato is also called the Maori name of kumara. They tend to be fluffy and moist and are commonly found in the US. Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes. It tends to have a drier texture and is less sweet than dark-skinned sweet potatoes. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Heck argues that sweet potatoes should be your new vegetarian meat replacement because they "can carry spices in a way that other vegetables can't." Their long shelf life of 6 months allows them to be a dependable food source during times of poor farming--the yam is a much more difficult crop to harvest than the sweet potato. However, when they accumulate in the body, they can cause problems for people at risk of kidney stones (18). The sweet potatoes with the lighter skin and yellow insides are softer. We have answers. This article takes an…, Though raw pork dishes exist in some cultures, eating raw or undercooked pork is risky business that can yield serious and unpleasant side effects…, While it's clear that drinking enough water is important to health, you may wonder whether the timing matters. It became very popular in Hawaii and was incorporated into lots of local and Hawaiian cooking. USD $ 5.99 USD $ 4.99. 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