CONFUSION BETWEEN YAMS AND SWEET POTATOES
Confusion between yams and sweet potatoes…
Yams and sweet potatoes are well known for getting mixed up. It has been a longstanding debate, especially in the Western world. Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. In fact, it is common for most people may label sweet potatoes as yams. There are a few logical reasons for the confusion. People use the word yam so widely for sweet potatoes. It is almost a nickname now.
Sweet potato farmers in the Southern USA adopts the African word yam in the early 20th century. It was mostly to market their orange sweet potatoes. The objective was to distinguish them from normal potatoes. Thus far, this nickname is sort of genreic name with many growers to this day. In fact, these yams are really not sweet potatoes. Hence, the USA Department of Agriculture requires the label ‘yam’ to accompany another label of ‘sweet potato’.
Edible tubers
Yams are edible stem tubers. It is native to tropical regions. Hence, the belief is it originates in Africa and Asia. Yams have dry and starchy flesh. Therefore, they store well in humid environments. There is no danger of spoilage. Hence, it makes them superb staple food in tropical climates. They are mostly grown in tropical regions which include Pacific island countries too.
Yams have a neutral flavour, white flesh and rough skin. The skin is brown and often compares to tree bark. In fact, there are many varieties of yams. However, the most common is the white flesh range. The purple variety is more exotic and more flavourful. The size of yams ranges from the size of a standard potato to fairly large. For example, they may grow to a metre long and weigh a couple of kilograms.
Neutral taste
In comparison to sweet potatoes yams have a neutral and earthy taste. They may be mildly sweet. However, yams mostly take the flavour of the seasonings you may use in the dish. Yams are eaten after cookong. It cannot be eaten raw because they are toxic when eaten raw. The leaves and stems are poisonous too. Thus far, removal of leaves and stems is important before cooking.
Yams are a versatile crop. Hence, you may cook the flesh by boiling, frying or roasting. For example, in West Africa, they cook yams by boiling them and then mashing or pounding them. It is then added to soups. Slices of yams are sun-dried and then ground into powder. The powder is then added to boiling water. This process creates a thick and starchy paste that is used in a side dish known as amala. Amala is a thick, dark brown pudding which is served with soups.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are natives of South and Central America. They are edible root tubers. Sweet potatoes are widely available in grocery stores or greengrocers. They are mostly available throughout the year. However, the peak harvest season is between November to March.
Sweet potatoes are much closer to the carrot family than potatoes. They have thin and reddish-brown skin. Sweet potatoes have a long and tapered end. So, the most common variety has orange flesh with a sweet flavour. Sweet potatoes can be eaten raw too. Their leaves can be eaten like greens from carrots or beet tops.
Sweet potato varieties
When thinking about sweet potatoes, copper coloured with orange flesh comes to mind. These are also known as soft sweet potatoes. They are the most common type. However, there are many other varieties. Some of these may label yams, however, they are not true yams.
White sweet potatoes have light golden skin with pale flesh. They are often known as firm sweet potatoes. This variety remains firm after cooking. They may be waxy too. Japanese sweet potatoes have a deep purple or garnet colour skin. The flesh is white that turns buttery yellow upon cooking.
Sweet potato taste
Sweet potatoes naturally have a sweet flavour. The taste enhances through cooking. When roasting or baking they result in the caramelisation of natural sugars. Hence, it makes them even sweeter taste. Chefs often use sweeteners like brown sugar, molasses, and maple syrups to complement their unique flavours. You may sprinkle pumpkin pie spice over a baked sweet potato too.
Comparison to potatoes
Yams are not a variety of potatoes. While both are stem tubers and grow underground, they belong to different botanical families. Yams belong to a plant family of flowering vines. This family surprisingly includes grasses and lilies. Whereas the potato is a part of the nightshade family. Peppers and tomatoes belong to this family too.
