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.