Understanding the major differences between Yam and Sweet Potato

When you take a look at sweet potatoes and yams, both of these vegetables look quite similar, and in certain cases, people even refer to a sweet potato as a yam; however, what you need to know is that there are a lot of differences between them. You will be surprised to know that both these vegetables are not even a part of the same family. That's right! So, if you are also questionin are yams and sweet potatoes the same, then use this guide to learn everything about these two vegetables and what makes them different from one another. 

Are sweet potatoes and yams the same thing?

As we have already mentioned, Yams vs Sweet potato, as they are quite different from each other. 

Yams 

Yams are edible tubers that are native to Africa and Asia and belong to the Dioscorea genus of flowering plants. Mainly, the vegetable is used in the dishes prepared in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In western Africa, these vegetables are staples in food, such as cassava, yuca, or plantain. If you ever visit an African market, you might see them represented as Nyami or Namé, which is the African word for Yams. 

These vegetables have a thick brown skin that often appears as bark, and have yellowish flesh. They have a starchy texture when they are cooked and produce a mild flavour, and you need to know that they are generally larger than sweet potatoes. 

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are root vegetables, which means that they are found under the ground. A tuber is the stem of a plant, which is exactly what a Yam is; however, sweet potatoes are not the stem; rather, the root of a plant. These vegetables are thick and delicious in nature, and grow naturally in South and Central America, and are a part of the glory family. 

The most important thing that you need to know in the debate of Yam vs sweet potato is that sweet potatoes have quite smooth skin in different colours, such as orange, purple, and grey, depending on their variety. When compared to yams, sweet potatoes are sweeter, and their flesh can be of different shades, such as orange and white. There are numerous varieties of sweet potatoes present in nature; some are sweeter, whereas some are starchier. Unlike yams, they are used in both desserts and savoury dishes. 

Which of those two is more nourishing?

Fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and complex carbohydrates abound in sweet potatoes and yams. Sweet potatoes have more vitamin C than genuine yams do; they also have more beta-carotene. Yams contain more copper. Both are healthful starch-based vegetables; hence, they should be eaten as part of a well-balanced plant-based diet.

This is the basic difference between sweet potatoes and yams that you need to know, so that you do not ever confuse these vegetables. You can also explore the website Abodelook to learn about the different kinds of sweet potatoes.