{"id":132026,"date":"2021-11-11T02:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T09:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/?p=132026"},"modified":"2023-03-28T01:59:40","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T08:59:40","slug":"a-guide-to-6-types-of-sweet-potatoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/a-guide-to-6-types-of-sweet-potatoes\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide To 6 Types Of Sweet Potatoes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Next to pumpkins and apples, sweet potatoes rank high on the list of fall\u2019s most nutritious produce items. Like most fruits and vegetables, there are different varieties of sweet potatoes. The more spuds, the merrier! When you see the different colors, shapes, and textures at the grocery store, how do you know which one to choose? Is one better than the other?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people use \u201csweet potato\u201d and \u201cyam\u201d interchangeably, but they are quite different. Yams have a drier texture and higher starch content than a regular sweet potato. Yams are sweet, though, which explains the misconception. Sweet potatoes<\/strong> have a similar flavor profile to carrots, in that they are sweet, but the inherent sweetness varies between the varieties. The location, weather, and growing conditions dictate the flavor profile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the sweet potato varieties described below fall under the sweet potato umbrella, even though people call them yams. Technically, yams are tubers, not root vegetables. A true yam is quite difficult to find in the United States, as most grow in Africa and Asia. A yam has the potential to grow up to 150 pounds, which a sweet potato could never do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n High in moisture with a reddish to purplish skin, Garnet sweet potatoes have an orange flesh and taste similar to winter squash. In fact, one could argue that the flavor profile is quite similar to a pie pumpkin. Because of this, Garnet sweet potatoes go great in baking recipes, including casserole or sweet potato pie<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These sweet potatoes are quite oblong and medium to large in size. The skin is purple, but the flesh is white, and typically starchier and drier than other sweet potato varieties. What you\u2019ll notice about this sweet potato is that it has a nutty, sweet, and almost floral flavor. The Japanese sweet potato is perfect for boiling, braising, or stir-frying. You can also use it for homemade gnocchi because of the low moisture content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Purple on the outside and even more purple on the inside, purple sweet potatoes offer a firm meaty texture with a subtly sweet flesh. One of the great things about purple sweet potatoes is that their color intensifies during the cooking process. They are rich in anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that give them their purple hue. Great for frying, saut\u00e9ing, steaming, or roasting, these purple potatoes are great for myriad side dishes. Plus, they absorb a variety of spices!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very popular in the southern United States, the Covington sweet potato has a distinct orange flesh and rose-colored peel. This sweet potato accounts for approximately 85% of sweet potato production in North Carolina, and it continues to grow in popularity. The ends taper into points and they have a slight curve to their overall shape. Covingtons have a sweet flavor, lending themselves to desserts<\/a>, but they are also great when pureed, mashed, baked, or roasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGarnet Sweet Potato<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Japanese Sweet Potato<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Purple Sweet Potatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Covington Sweet Potato<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jewel Sweet Potato<\/h2>\n\n\n\n