What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?

While yams and sweet potatoes are often used interchangeably in the US, they are actually two different vegetables with distinct characteristics.

Yams are native to Africa and Asia, while sweet potatoes are native to the Americas. Yams are larger, cylindrical and have rough, bark-like skin, while sweet potatoes are smaller, tapered at the ends, and have smoother skin.

Yams are starchier and have a drier texture than sweet potatoes. They have a higher starch content and are not as sweet as sweet potatoes, which have a creamy texture and are naturally sweeter. In fact, true yams are not even grown in the United States, and what is often labeled as yams in the grocery store is actually a variety of sweet potato.

In summary, yams and sweet potatoes are two different vegetables that are often confused with each other. While they share some similarities, they have different origins, appearances, and nutritional profiles.