Sweet Potato vs Yams – Similarities and Differences
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When it comes to sweet potatoes and yams, there is a lot of confusion. So much confusion between the two vegetables that some people just consider them one type of vegetable with just different colors! In farmers markets, they look almost identical; but they are actually different types of tubers. If you're wondering what the difference is between sweet potatoes and yams, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about sweet potatoes vs yams. And no, yam isn't a variety of sweet potato nor is it an orange sweet potato!
What are the Similarities Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams
There are a few similarities between sweet potatoes and yams. For one, they are both starchy vegetables that are often used in sweet or savory dishes. They are also both rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. And lastly, they both have a slightly sweet taste. And for some reason, many people call them both yams or sweet potatoes, and vice versa!
What are the Differences Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams
Now let's get into the differences between sweet potatoes and yams. The biggest difference is in their appearance. Sweet potatoes have smooth, thin skin that can be any color from white to purple to red. They also tend to be shorter and plumper than yams. Yams, on the other hand, have rough, thick skin that is brown or black. Many have described yams to have a bark-like skin, so that's a dead giveaway! So if someone tells you something that looks like russet potato is a yam, then they're obviously selling a sweet potato! They are also longer and narrower than sweet potatoes. But mostly their bark-like skin is the main indicator.
When it comes to taste, sweet potatoes are typically sweeter than yams. This is because sweet potatoes contain more sugar (how long does sugar last?) than yams. However, there is still some overlap in taste since both vegetables can be used in sweet or savory dishes.
When it comes to nutrition, sweet potatoes and yams are both good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, sweet potatoes are a better source of vitamin A than yams. And yams are a better source of potassium than sweet potatoes.
So, now that you know the similarities and differences between sweet potatoes and yams, you can make an informed decision about which one to use in your next recipe. Just remember, when it comes to sweet potatoes vs yams, appearance is not everything.
Why Do Yams and Sweet Potatoes Get Mixed Up?
The biggest reason why yams and sweet potatoes get mixed up is because they look so similar. In fact, sweet potatoes and yams are often confused for each other in farmers markets. However, the real history behind the mix-up of sweet potato and yams is a much more interesting topic!
It all started with the slave trade. When slaves were brought over from Africa to the Americas and they encountered sweet potatoes, they called it the thing they equated as close to home and their food staple back home. The word "yam" comes from the African word "nyami," "nyam," "enyame", and a couple of other variations that means "to eat." So when slaves arrived in the Americas and started calling sweet potatoes "yams," they were actually just using the word to mean "food."
Over time, the confusion between sweet potatoes and yams became more widespread. Fast forward hundreds of years to the 1920s in Louisiana where arguably some great marketing minds were at work. Sweet potato growers wanted to differentiate their sweet potatoes with orange flesh from the pale ones being grown in Texas and other neighboring states. And you know what? The name stuck!
To this day, many of the yams you see in supermarkets are actually sweet potatoes, but thankfully, the USDA requires "Sweet potatoes" or "Sweetpotatoes" to be put on the label if they're actual sweet potatoes instead of actual yams.
What is a Yam?
A yam is a starchy vegetable that is often used in sweet or savory dishes. Yams have rough, thick skin that is brown or black. They are also longer and narrower than sweet potatoes. When it comes to taste, yams are not as sweet as sweet potatoes. However, they are still a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
What is a Sweet Potato?
Sweet potato is a starchy vegetable that is often used in sweet or savory dishes. Sweet potatoes have smooth, thin skin that can be any color from white to purple to red. One of the most common sweet potatoes have orange flesh and are usually labeled (and called) orange sweet potatoes). They also tend to be shorter and plumper than yams. When it comes to taste, sweet potatoes are typically sweeter than yams. This is because sweet potatoes contain more sugar than yams. However, sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Selecting sweet potatoes is easy - just look for tubers that are firm, smooth, and without blemishes. Avoid those with soft spots, wrinkles, or any other signs of decay. Soft sweet potatoes are no good, the ones are firm sweet potatoes so look for those.
Can Sweet Potatoes and Yams be Used Interchangeably?
Strictly speaking, no. They're different root vegetables and they have different properties. While they're marketed as being interchangeable, only the names are actually so. Cooking and using yams and sweet potatoes are markedly different as true yams are starchier and dryer, which will require more time and more oil/butter/cream to achieve the same results if you're going to substitute true yams for sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potato and Yam Seasonality
Although sweet potatoes and yams are in season up till mid/late fall, they’re still very popular for the Thanksgiving table and for holiday dinners because of their unique flavor profile and taste. Another reason for this is that these root vegetables have a very good shelf life. Lasting anywhere from a month to a couple of months from harvest when stored properly, plus due to their bark like skins, their flavor keeps pretty well.
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This sweet potato pie recipe is perfect for special occasions, and if you're like me, every day is an occasion to celebrate life so this means that this is perfect every day! Made with a sweet potato puree, this pie is sweet, creamy, and full of flavor. The perfect dessert to enjoy with family and friends! P.S. If you’re looking for a sweet potato casserole recipe then you can just omit the pie crust.
Sweet Potato Pie Ingredients:
1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (how long does nutmeg last?)
1 pie crust, unbaked
Sweet Potato Pie Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large pot, cook sweet potatoes in boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain sweet potatoes and mash with a fork or potato masher.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in mashed sweet potatoes, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into pie crust.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean. Let cool before serving.
Enjoy!
Roasted Yam Recipe
One of my favorite ways to use true yam is to roast it. The smokey flavor from grilling yams complements its natural earthy taste and brings out a little bit of sweetness in it! Since it doesn't have much sugar compared to sweet potatoes, this won't burn as easy. As for the taste, think of it as roasted potatoes with a hint of sweetness to it! Perfect as a side dish when you're having BBQ.
Roasted Yam Ingredients:
1 yam, peeled and sliced into thick rounds (if you have purple yams then use that for a lovely splash of color)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Roasted Yam Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, toss yams with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Transfer yams to a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes or until tender and slightly charred around the edges.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
So, now that you know the similarities and differences between sweet potatoes and yams, you can make an informed decision about which one to use in your next recipe. Just remember, when it comes to sweet potatoes vs yams, appearance is not everything. Happy cooking!
Update: Purple Sweet Potatoes vs Purple Yam vs Ube
You asked, and we answered! If differentiating yams and sweet potatoes wasn’t already confusing, there’s another contender that throws its hat to the ring ang makes things even more confusing, the UBE.
Ube is really popular in the Philippines and even the locals there are confused whether it’s a yam or a sweet potato. The reason why ube is included in this article about sweet potatoes is that there has been a very large surge in purple colored sweets and desserts and the culplrit? Ube!
Let’s settle this once and for all. Ube is NOT A SWEET POTATO. Ube is a sweet purple yam.
There’s also this confusion between ube and taro, but that’s a different story for a different day. Just remember, ube is for sweet applications and taro is for savory applications.
What’s With All The Fuss? What does Ube Taste Like?
Aside from its signature purple coloration and its unique flesh color, one thing that sets Ube or purple yam apart from other yam varieties is its unique taste and flavor. Ube or purple yams have a uniquely nuttier taste with a hint of vanilla that is almost impossible to mistake for any other root vegetable. Compared to sweet potatoes, they’re also much more moist and are easier to eat.
Ube Jam (Halaya) Recipe
We really can’t talk about Ube or purple yam without sharing one of the best known recipes for its use here. Ube Jam is quintessential when it comes to Filipino desserts and it goes well with ANYTHING. When we say anything, we mean anything.
It goes great on bread, on frozen drinks, on cakes, heck, I even catch some of the folks at the office just getting just huge spoonfuls and scarfing it down like they would do Nutella or peanut butter (how long does peanut butter last?)!
Ube Jam Ingredients
1.5 pounds ube / purple yam
1 cup evaporated milk (how long does evaporated milk last?)
1 cup coconut cream (how long does coconut cream last?)
1 cup condensed mlk
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter (salted)
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Ube Jam Instructions
Give the yams a good wash and make sure all of the dirt is removed
Steam for about 30 to 40 minutes or until tender all the way through
Allow to cool, peel of the skin and chop into manageable pieces
Pro tip, you can precook large batches of purple yam and freeze for future use
In a heavy bottomed pot or a dutch oven, add the cooked yam, coconut cream, condensed milk, sugar, and evaporated milk
You can use a potato masher to mash the mixture up or use an immersion blender to make sure everything is mixed properly.
Once everything is mixed, turn on heat and bring to a simmer
Once the mixture is simmering, stir the mixture continually to prevent burning and sticking
After about 30-40 minutes, the jam will thicken and once that happens, add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly, remove from heat
While still warm and gooey, spoon into invividual jars. Do this while it’s still hot because the jam will have the consistency of peanut butter (albeit starchier) once cooled
The prepared jam will keep in the fridge for about a week or about 4 months in the freezer.
If you plan on storing it longer, you can use a pressure canner to properly can and sterilize the jam for longer shelf stability.
