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Yams and sweet potatoes, What is the difference? Custom Search Sweet potatoes and yams are traditionally thought of a Southern crop that we consume during the holiday season; however they are vegetables that are gaining in popularity quite rapidly. Ranking extremely high in nutritional value, these tubers are more than a substitute for regular potatoes. They can be boiled, baked, steamed or fried, as well as used in the usual pies and sweet dishes. Have you ever eaten sweet potato french fries or chips ? They are wonderful! Most consumers are confused as to the difference between these two species. They are two entirely different vegetables even though the terms are used interchangeably. In America, what we call sweet potatoes are tubers of two main types. The pale skinned potato has a thin yellow skim and pale yellow flesh that is not as sweet and has a dry crumbly texture similar to our Idaho potatoes. The darker skin type has a thicker dark reddish orange skin with orange flesh and a moist texture. This variety is commonly called a yam which is erroneous. Yams are native to the tropics and are not even related to sweet potatoes. They are a root that can grow to over seven feet in length, they are sweeter than sweet potatoes and are becoming easier to find in the markets. Yams also have a rough, scaly skin while sweet potatoes have a smooth, thin skin. Yams do not contain any vitamin A, while sweet potatoes are super rich in this vitamin. Yams are primarily grown in the Caribbean or warm tropical regions.
Yams and sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes succeed best in the South, but can be grown in home gardens in northern climates with mild winters. In general, sweet potatoes may be grown wherever there is a frost free period of about 150 days with relatively high temperatures. A well drained, moderately deep sandy loam of medium fertility is the best for this crop. For best results the soil should be moderately fertilized throughout. In most the areas over which these potatoes are grown it is necessary to start the plants in a hot bed, because the season is too short to produce a good crop after the weather warms up enough to start plants outdoors. It is not safe to set the plants in the open ground till the soil is warm and the weather settled. Toward the last, ventilate the hot bed freely to harden the plants. The plants are usually set on top of ridges, 3 ft. to 4 ft. apart, with the plant about 12 in. apart in the row. When the vines have covered the ground, no further cultivation is necessary, but some additional hand weeding may be required. Dig these potatoes a short time before frost, on a bright day when the soil is not too wet to work easily. They may be dug with a spading fork, taking great care not to bruise or injure their roots. Let the roots lie exposed for two to three hours to dry the thoroughly, but not in direct sunlight during the hot part of the day; then put them in containers and place of a warm room to cure. The proper curing temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Curing for about 10 days, is followed by storage at 55 to 60 degrees.
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