Golden orange sweet potatoes are enveloped in spicy cinnamon and rich, dark maple with a sprinkle of brown sugar. This warm winter flavor can be used in a variety of products including baked goods, nutrition and performance products, coffee, syrup, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and dairy and non-dairy applications.
Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams – What's the Difference?
Sweet potatoes and yams are frequently used interchangeably because both are tuberous root vegetables often orange in color. However, they are not the same. Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America while yams are native to Africa and Asia. The skin color of sweet potatoes can range from white, yellow, red, purple or brown, while the flesh can be white, yellow, orange or purple. The skin color of yams varies between black or brown and the flesh can be white, purple or red. Yams are starchier and drier than sweet potatoes and cannot be consumed without being cooked. In the US to distinguish the white variety from the orange-fleshed variety of sweet potatoes, they were labeled “yams,” causing confusion. February 22nd is National Cook a Sweet Potato Day, so mark your calendars.
Sweet Potatoes Pack a Nutritional Punch
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of fiber and contain a healthy dose of vitamins A and C as well as potassium, magnesium and manganese. High in beta-carotene, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are a good source of antioxidants. Sweet potatoes are said to have anti-inflammatory properties, help regulate blood sugar and decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
