Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes

Would You Rather Eat Sweet Potatoes or Yams?

November 18, 2010

While yams and sweet potatoes both have a spot at the Thanksgiving table, they're actually completely different tubers that aren't even related. Which one do you prefer on your plate?

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8 Comments

GummiBears 2 years

I have eaten both and I am indifferent. Yams or ñame is starchier and "tougher" and I am used to eating it in savory dishes more than anything. I like sweet potatoes for more sweet dishes. But I like the Korean sweet potatoes in savory dishes than the Garnet version. But that is just me.

muse2323 2 years

I read a while ago that in North America, what we call yams are really just another variety of sweet potato, not true yams. Still, I like the orange-fleshed ones best as a side/vegetable--they seem to have more flavor than the other varieties I've tried.

bsanf3 2 years

Yams are a little stringier.

amber512 2 years

If forced to give up my regular potatoes, I'd have to go with yam. Doesn't taste overly sweet and I can actually make savory things with yams. Although I prefer potatoes any day.

wackdoodle 2 years

Bland, slightly bitter, grainy texture, crumbs if over boiled and starchy = Sweet Potato Naturally sweet, creamy, sometime string texture, orange flesh, holds it shape even when boiled to death = yam If you tasted a sweet potato raw you'd spit it out and ask why someone gave you that. Taste a sweet potato raw - no big deal Both are fairly inexpensive - I suggest buying one of each and tasting a piece raw ( the sweet potato raw my make you itch) then try cook them both identically and seeing the difference for yourself. They really have difference uses in cooking.

chiefdishwasher 2 years

Blind taste test......what's the difff?

wackdoodle 2 years

orange on the inside not necessary on the outside is what I meant.

wackdoodle 2 years

Yams are the orangey ones right. Like the Garnet variety of Yam. But we Americans call yams - sweet potatoes when they are different. With real sweet potatoes being super starchy, white fleshed and bitter. You really don't ever want to make the mistake of buying the wrong tuber at the market with these because your results will be very different with each. I remember there was something about a marketing campaign way back that caused this confusion of calling a yam a sweet potato and vice-versa.

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8 Comments