Which is better for you nutrionally, a sweet potato or a yam?
FACTOR SWEET POTATO YAM Scientific name Ipomoea batatas Dioscorea Species Plant family Morning glory CONVOLVULACEAE Yam DIOSCOREACEAE Plant group Dicotyledon Monocotyledon Chromosome number 2n=90 (hexaploid) 2n=20 Flower character Monoecious Dioecious Historical beginning (Peru, Ecuador) Prehistoric 50,000 BC Edible storage organ Storage root Tuber Number/plant 4-10 1-5 Appearance Smooth, with thin skin Rough, scaly skin Shape Short, blocky, tapered ends Long, cylindrical, some with “toes” Dry matter 22-28% 20-35% Mouth feel Moist* Dry Taste Sweet* Starchy Beta carotene (Vitamin A) High (orange varieties) * Very low Propagation Transplants/vine cuttings Tuber pieces Growing season 90-150 days 180-360 days Climatic requirements Tropical and temperate Tropical Availability Grown in USA Imported from Caribbean *Characteristic of most sweet potato varieties grown in the U.S. The versatile sweet potato is ideal fare for the health – conscious food consumer. With the ever-growing interest in
FACTOR SWEET POTATO YAM Scientific name Ipomoea batatas Dioscorea Species Plant family Morning glory CONVOLVULACEAE Yam DIOSCOREACEAE Plant group Dicotyledon Monocotyledon Chromosome number 2n=90 (hexaploid) 2n=20 Flower character Monoecious Dioecious Historical beginning (Peru, Ecuador) Prehistoric 50,000 BC Edible storage organ Storage root Tuber Number/plant 4-10 1-5 Appearance Smooth, with thin skin Rough, scaly skin Shape Short, blocky, tapered ends Long, cylindrical, some with “toes” Dry matter 22-28% 20-35% Mouth feel Moist* Dry Taste Sweet* Starchy Beta carotene (Vitamin A) High (orange varieties) * Very low Propagation Transplants/vine cuttings Tuber pieces Growing season 90-150 days 180-360 days Climatic requirements Tropical and temperate Tropical Availability Grown in USA Imported from Caribbean *Characteristic of most sweet potato varieties grown in the U.S. The versatile sweet potato is ideal fare for the health – conscious food consumer. With the ever-growing interest in
