What's the difference between a sweet potato and yam?

Answer 1

The moist-fleshed, orange cultivars of sweet potato are often referred to as “yams” in the United States. One explanation of this confusion is that Africans brought to America took to calling American sweet potatoes Nyamis, perhaps from the Fulani word nyami (to eat) or the Twi word anyinam, which refers to a true yam. The true yam, which is native to Africa and Asia, can grow up to 2 m (6 ft) in length (sometimes with knuckle-like ends) and has a scaly skin, a pinkish white center, and a thick, almost oily feel to the tongue.

Later on many farmers and stores began marketing American-grown sweet potatoes as yams; the name stuck. In more recent times there has been an effort to stop the use of “yam” for sweet potatoes, but this has only been partially successful. USDA branding regulations require the word “yam” to be accompanied by the words “sweet potato” when referring to these moister sweet potatoes.

In other words no difference just mix up of names.

Answer 2

Yams are members of the Dioscoreae family. Depending upon the yam variety, of which there are about 200, its flesh may be of varying colors including white, ivory, yellow or purple while its thick skin may either be white, pink or brownish-black. Their shape is long and cylindrical (oftentimes having offshoots referred to as "toes") while their exterior texture is rough and scaly. Yams have a very starchy and slippery texture and when cooked, will either be creamy or firm, depending upon the variety. Their taste is earthy and hardy, with most varieties having minimal, if any, sweetness. Specific types of yams include Dioscorea alata (Hawaiian yam), Dioscorea batatas (korean yam) and Dioscorea esculenta (sweet yam).

Chances are this does not sound like the description of the "yams" that you had for Thanksgiving dinner. That is because most of the vegetables that are labeled "yams" in the United States are really orange-colored sweet potatoes. When the moist-fleshed orange-colored sweet potato was introduced into the United States in the mid-20th century, producers wanted to distinguish it from the white-fleshed sweet potato that most people were used to. They adopted the word "yam" from "nyami", the African word for the root of the Dioscoreae genus of plants. While there are attempts to distinguish between the two, such as the U.S. Deparment of Agriculture's labeling requirement that the moist-fleshed, orange-colored sweet potatoes that are labeled as "yams" also be accompanied by the label "sweet potato", for many people this does not help to clarify the distinction between the two very different root vegetables. Yet, once you experience the distinct taste and texture of the real yam you will definitely know the difference, appreciating each of these root vegetables for their unique qualities

Answer 3

Sweet Potatoes and Yams are often viewed as two names for the same vegetable.On the contrary, they are two different vegetables. Sweet Potatoes are an uncommon crop in the U.S., grown primarily in the south. Yams are a sub-tropical plant, native to the Caribbean and Asia, and imported into the U.S. and other countries.

Yams are tubular and sweet potatoes look much like regular potatoes.

Answer 4

Technically, the only true YAM comes from Africa. We call our orange sweet potato a yam because the slaves in the South thought they looked and tasted similar to the yam they knew from their homeland.

Now, we use the words sweet potato and yam interchangeably, even though some people tend to think of the white or yellow ones as sweet potato and the orange ones as yams.

"Skin colors range from nearly white through shades of buff to brown or through pink to copper, even magenta and purple. Americans are prejudiced against the purplish skin colors because certain "red" varieties formerly grown here were of poor quality."

I like the white, myself!

Answer 5

Sweetness!!! Yam is sweeter than sweet potatoes. The texture is a little different too. The sweet potato may have a little more fiber to it

Answer 6

There is no difference. It's the exact same thing, only some people call them yams and others like to call them sweet potatoes.

Answer 7

For one thing, color. A yam is a deep, deep orange inside and out. For another, FLAVOR--BIGTIME! A "sweet potato" tastes exactly like its name-- like a sweet white potato. A yam has a rich, earthier flavor--yum yum! Sweet potatoes are much paler on the outside, too. Go for the yams! :D

Answer 8

nothing, they are the same veggie

Answer 9

exact same thing.