Is yam sweet? This is one question that has been asked a lot throughout history. Although for a long time, it has been argued whether yam is sweet or not, some believe it is because of the fact that they use yam as sweeteners, and it is common for them to find this in many dishes of their day to day lives.

So is yam sweet? Yam is most certainly not sweet. Yam is a tuber that can be classified under the monocot family of plants, and in botany, they are called the Dioscorea genus. It belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family.

Yam is not a root but a tuberous plant with an extensive underground system of fleshy roots. While some do look like potatoes, they are not. They definitely don’t taste like potatoes, either.

Yam – Not Sweet

Yam is not sweet in any way. It doesn’t taste sweet because it is not sweet-tasting when raw or cooked and does not contain sugar when eaten.

Yam can be used in many ingredients of dishes because it is easily storable; they can last for months before rotting, giving people ample time to produce enough yams for eating.

The tuberous roots can be harvested when they are left unattended for long periods of time.

People have grown accustomed to using yam in many dishes without even knowing that it is not sweet.

Some have compared the taste of yam with that of potatoes, but I personally don’t think that it tastes like potatoes; I could say that it tastes like a cross between a sweet potato and a regular potato.

Are Yam Sweet Potatoes?

Some people also call yam sweet potatoes and vice versa, but they are definitely not the same.

Sweet Potatoes: They may be called sweet potatoes in some parts of the world, but it is just a different name for them. Sweet potatoes are not yams.

They are both tubers with flesh on the inside with different tastes and nutrient contents, but they are definitely not the same.

Sweet potatoes have many varieties, including darker orange-fleshed varieties, lighter yellow varieties, red-fleshed sweet potato varieties, purple sweet potatoes with black/brown-skinned sweet potatoes.

Do Sweet Potatoes Taste Like Yams?

Many people think that sweet potatoes taste like yams, which is the common thought that the two are similar in taste.  The fact of the matter is that they are not similar to each other, but both are good for eating.

Yams taste nothing as sweet potatoes do. They are very different from one another in every way.

Sweet potatoes are sweeter than yams, although both sweet potatoes and yams can be used as sweeteners in cooking.

They are also different in their nutrient content; while yam is high in Vitamin C, the B complex vitamins (except for niacin), and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron;

Sweet potatoes don’t have Vitamin C, but they do have a good amount of B complex vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, manganese, and copper.

So, you see that there is so much difference between yams and sweet potatoes.

Is Yam Better Than Sweet Potato?

Both yam and sweet potatoes are healthy for you.

Sweet potato health benefits:

• Highly Nutritious: They can be used to cure and treat many diseases and conditions and do good in your body when eaten.
• Promote Gut Health: If you are looking for foods to promote healthy gut bacteria, then yams and sweet potatoes can be used as good food options.
• Aids Weight Loss: Their high fiber content aids in weight loss; this makes them very beneficial in the cure of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Helps Improve Memory: Studies show that sweet potatoes can help promote memory.
• Breast Cancer Prevention: They contain phytoestrogens that aid in the prevention of breast cancer; they can also be used to protect against other cancers like prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer.
• Cure Diabetes: Sweet potatoes have some sugar content as well as a high carb content which can help be a cure for diabetes 2.

Yam health benefits:

• Highly Nutritious: It is good and beneficial for the body.
• Helps Treat Diabetes: Yams contain a good amount of insulin which is very good for treating/preventing diabetes.
• Cure Obesity: High in fibers helps remove cholesterol from your liver, reducing the risk of heart attack and lowering cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.
• Cures Anemia: Yams contain Vitamin B12, which aids in the cure of anemia.
• Promotes Oral Health: Stimulates saliva production, which helps fight tooth decay and bad breath.

Now that you know the difference between a yam and sweet potatoes, then you will be able to choose whether to use them or not depending on your taste preference.

Is Ube A Yam Or Sweet Potato?

Ube is a purple-fleshed, tropical root vegetable mostly grown in the Philippines. It has been used as a base for ice cream and other desserts, but it’s often confused with a yam or sweet potato.

What’s the difference between a yam and an ube?

Although both are called “yam,” they are in fact different root vegetables.

They taste different too. Ube has a slightly nutty flavor, similar to sweet potatoes, while yam is sweeter and more subtle in its taste.

Which Yam Is The Sweetest?

The type of yam that is the sweetest depends on your region.

In North America, people usually think of Yam #3 or Carolina yams as being the sweetest varieties.

But in other areas around the world, there are also lesser-known types of sweet yams that may be considered better to use in cooking and desserts.

How To Cook Yam?

Yams are delicious on their own, but you can cook them just like sweet potatoes. Roast yam with olive oil, salt, and pepper

You can also add them to a stew or boil them in a soup.

So whenever you are buying yams or preparing any dish, just remember that there are yams and sweet potatoes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yams are not sweet, but it sure is popular. The next time you’re craving something sweet, go ahead and have a baked sweet potato. But don’t be confused by the name again!