Sweet Potatoes vs Yams

[Barriehie]

It's the time of the year here, USA, where these are prepared a lot. I see members using the terms interchangeably although they are not equivalent vegetables. Yams and sweet potatoes are similar but two completely different species.

This might help.

 

[TastyReuben]

“Are those sweet potatoes or yams?”
“Yes!”

 

[Barriehie]

“Are those sweet potatoes or yams?”
“Yes!”

View attachment 137288

The advertising peep with a degree showing off the benefits of a higher education...

(Not you TR, the label designer.)

 

[Z-Cook]

It's the time of the year here, USA, where these are prepared a lot. I see members using the terms interchangeably although they are not equivalent vegetables. Yams and sweet potatoes are similar but two completely different species.

This might help.

Very good point Barriehie and totally agree! Sometimes have to call them yams because they're commonly called that in the produce sections here and if you call them sweet potatoes people often just respond with a blank stare

 

[badjak]

We call a yam a yam
And a sweet potato is called...
Guess....
Sweet potato

 

[Morning Glory]

They don't get confused in the UK. Yams are not that often seen for sale in supermarkets and sweet potatoes are always labelled as sweet potato. You would need to go to a specialist shop or market to find yams.

Sweet potatoes are really misnamed as they are not actually a type of potato. They belong to the ipomoea species of plants (like Morning Glory). Potatoes belong to the nightshade family.

I don't like sweet potatoes at all. Far too sweet in a one dimensional way for me. I have the same issue with sweetcorn and fresh or frozen peas.

 

[Barriehie]

They don't get confused in the UK. Yams are not that often seen for sale in supermarkets and sweet potatoes are always labelled as sweet potato. You would need to go to a specialist shop or market to find yams.

Sweet potatoes are really misnamed as they are not actually a type of potato. They belong to the ipomoea species of plants (like Morning Glory). Potatoes belong to the nightshade family.

I don't like sweet potatoes at all. Far too sweet in a one dimensional way for me. I have the same issue with sweetcorn and fresh or frozen peas.

Over here its all a marketing schmooze...

 

[SoCalZone10]

I don't think you can get yam here, maybe in a can.

 

[Barriehie]

I don't think you can get yam here, maybe in a can.

I've seen real ones at La Bonita market in Las Vegas.

 

[karadekoolaid]

We get both varieties of sweet potato (called batata locally) and yams as well ( known as ñame!). Every supermarket has piles of different root vegetables, including ocumo, taro root, Chinese taro root, manioc, yuca, and a curious root vegetable I've never seen anywhere else called apio (which actually translates as celery, but might be known as arracacha, white carrot or yellow cassava.
Yams and sweet potatoes are essential ingredients in a local , soupy dish called "Sancocho".

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

and a curious root vegetable I've never seen anywhere else called apio (which actually translates as celery, but might be known as arracacha, white carrot or yellow cassava.
Yams and sweet potatoes are essential ingredients in a local , soupy dish called "Sancocho".

That sounds like we need a picture!

 

[karadekoolaid]

I'll see if I can pick some up today at the supermarket. I'll use it to make soup - my wife loves soup.

 

[Gone Hiking]

Candied sweet potatoes in a cast iron pan are a staple item every Thanksgiving. With brown sugar, King syrup, and butter, I call them Diabeetus potatoes, lol. Oh well, we only make them once a year.