sweet taters vs yams

[RaptonX]

I know that yams have oxys in them, but what about sweet potatoes....arn't they similar?

I only gave raz a teeny bit or yam becasue of the oxys, i know how much damage they can do in high amounts.

[LotharsPeople]

Sweet potato and Yams are the same thing. Just a different name .

[Merlin]

actually they are different plants. However in the US they are referred to as the same thing.

[LotharsPeople]

Merlin,
According to The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission they are pretty much the same thing. The true Yam, generally imported from the Caribbean, is a different plant. here is a link to The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission web site that explains the difference : www.ncsweetpotatoes.com/spvsyam.htm
Agreed, there is a difference, however it is not great.
The term is used pretty much interchangeably in The U.S.A. and Canada.

[prism_wolf]

Sweet potato and yams are not the same thing, and sweet potato has a better nutritional chart than the yam...or was it the other way around...hmmm...when I have a little time later I will look.

[rocmills]

Don't know about nutrition levels, but yams are light yellow or white fleshed and sweet potatoes have a darker orange flesh. True yams are also "bumpier" and ragged looking on the outside.

--Roc

[LotharsPeople]

Quote from The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission : [glow=red,2,300]"Yams in the United States are actually Sweet Potatoes[/glow] with relatively moist texture and orange flesh. Although the terms are generally used interchangeably, the US Department of Agriculture requires that the label "yam" always be accompanied by "Sweet Potato." " From the link provided above.

Yes they are technically a different species. But are referred to by the same/other name commonly though, only we sticklers for accuracy really care there is a difference.

Merlin,
I bow to your superior intelect on this matter ;D