Yam vs Sweet Potatoes

The words ‘yam’ and ‘sweet potato’ likely conjure the same image in your mind. And, why not? The two words are used interchangeably to refer to the classic orange-flesh potato. In fact, many grocery stores label sweet potatoes as ‘yams.’ However, did you know that sweet potatoes and yams are classified as as completely different varieties?

Yes, you read that right. Yams and sweet potatoes are two completely different things. Let’s break down which is which:

What are Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are underground tubers in the Ipomea botatas family. Their skin is thin and can range in color from brown, to purple, to red. Similarly, there are many varieties of sweet potatoes with varying color flesh. The color can range from orange, white, and purple. The flavor across the sweet potato category is described as sweet. Their flesh is often more moist than your typical russet potato.

What are Yams?

True yams are classified in the Discorea family. This includes many root varieties like yuca, Ghana yam, Yampi, malanga, and yautia. Many of these roots originate in Africa. Their skin is often a ruddy brown with a tree bark-like pattern. Their flavor is starchy, much less sweet than the typical sweet potato. Despite ‘yam’ being advertised on grocery store shelves, true yams aren’t often merchandised in traditional grocery stores in the US. You’ll most commonly find them on shelves of local or ethnic supermarkets.