Image copyright NatalieMaynor.
It was only a few years ago that I realized that sweet potatoes and yams weren’t the same food. Many people use the terms interchangeably. Both veggies looking a lot alike. Today I am writing about the differences to help you when shopping at the market.
Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes are grown in the southern states of the US.
- These potatoes are sweet.
- Sweet potatoes have a smooth, thin skin.
- The shape is short and blocky.
- Sweet potatoes offer more protein per serving – 5 grams vs 2 for yams.
- Sweet potatoes are much higher in Vitamin A than yams.
Yams
- Yams are grown in the Caribbean and are imported.
- Yams are more starchy.
- Yams have a coarse, scaly skin.
- The shape is long and cylindrical.
Sources:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/sweetpotato.html?pagewanted=all
http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookvegetables/a/sweetpotatodiff.htmhttp://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sweetpotato.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/257046-sweet-potato-vs-yam-nutrition/