WHAT IS A SWEET POTATO?

This tuber favors warmer, tropical climates.  It has been a Central American favorite for over 5,000 years!  While they might be named after potatoes and have similar nutritional benefits, sweet potatoes are not from the same vegetable family.  The main difference between the two is that sweet potatoes have 6 times as much sugar and are rich in beta carotene.  This is what gives them their bright orange hue.  There are two types of sweet potatoes, the firm and the soft.

WHY ARE SWEET POTATOES GOOD FOR YOU?

They have all of the health benefits of a potato (vitamins and minerals like calcium, selenium and iron).  In addition these tubers are also rich in an antioxidant called beta carotene.

WHEN ARE SWEET POTATOES IN SEASON?

In the northern hemisphere they are a late fall harvest starting in October and ending in December.  In southern locations like Australia they are available year-round with the vast majority coming from Queensland.

HOW SHOULD SWEET POTATOES BE STORED?

Do not wash them prior to storage  or refrigerate them.  Your crisper drawer will suck all the flavor out of these tubers.  Instead store them in a dark, cool place for 1 to 4 weeks.

WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO PEEL A SWEET POTATO?

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A YAM AND A SWEET POTATO?

A yam is a vegetable that is from a completely different tuber family then the sweet potato.  A classic yam has a lower moisture and higher starch content then a sweet potato.  However the problem is that many retailers in the States sell “yams” that are actually sweet potatoes!  The soft version of this tuber is pale and physically resembles a yam.  Since real yams are difficult to come by and retailers didn’t want to confuse customers, they instead started selling them as “yams.”