Sweet Potatoes and Yams: Not the Same Vegetable

Many people believe that a sweet potato and a yam are one and the same vegetable. This is a common misconception. Sweet potatoes and yams are not even from the same continent, much less the same vegetable family. Read on to find out more fun facts about how two very different vegetables came to be known as the same thing.

Historians believe that the confusion between a sweet potato and a yam began as early as 1676 when slaves brought to the United States began calling the American sweet potato a word in their own native language which sounded like yam. However, botanists claim yams are grown only in tropical regions and were first discovered in the Caribbean. Yams are white, starchy misshapen orbs with a mild flavor. They are almost flavorless when compared to other tropical fruits and vegetables, which naturally have a strong taste. The vegetable marketed as a yam in the United States is really a moist bright orange variety of the southern sweet potato. However, since sweet potatoes are so commonly called yams, the USDA requires both the words sweet potato and yam to be printed on the labels of canned sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are very versatile, making them a favorite fall vegetable. They can be used to thicken soups and stews, mashed, baked, boiled and fried. There are recipes for sweet potato bread and sweet potato biscuits. Sweet potatoes are especially popular during the holiday season when they are used to make pies and soufflés and many other delectable desserts.

Whether you call them yams or sweet potatoes, this is one nutritious vegetable. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of key nutrients everyone needs such as vitamins A and C, foliate, iron, copper, calcium and fiber. It is the meat of the sweet potato that is so nutritious. It is not necessary to eat the peeling to get all the vitamins. They are a much better choice than the regular white potato. A white potato is very high in starches and carbohydrates making them a bad choice for diabetics because of the rise in insulin levels. However, sweet potatoes have no negative effects on overall health. Eye doctors highly recommend them because of the excellent levels of vitamin A which studies have shown improve eye health. The high levels of fiber and vitamin C help to improve the digestive tract and the immune system.

So the next time you want a vegetable that is delicious and nutritious, have a moist southern sweet potato.

Sources: http://www.galileo.usg.edu ;

Southern Living Platinum Periodicals, October 2000;

Ode to Sweet Potatoes by Joe Nash Platinum Periodicals, February 2002