Which is which?

[Happy Harry #2]

I'm talking about yams and sweet potatoes.. In some stores the dark (red) ones are called sweet or garnet potatoes, in others, the dark ones are call yams and the light (beige) ones, sweet potatoes. So, which is which?

[Chocolatl]

Unless you're buying imported food, or live elsewhere than the USA, they're probably all sweet potatoes. Firm sweet potatoes are generally called sweet potatoes, and soft sweet potatoes are called yams.

This video explains further: What's the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?

[Zeldaz]

Yams are a totally different root. Most stuff labelled "yams" in the US is just plain NOT yams. Color does not matter. They are sweet potatoes (morning glory family) and come in various shades of red, orange, yellow, and white. Supermarkets mis-label them all the time.

[SarasotaCook]

I always found that so amazing that in the US, they label them the same. As mentioned, they aren't the same; and many people do not realize ow many different varieties and colors there are. My grandmother always used to call them yams; but they were really sweet potatoes.

[duonyte]

I happened across an interesting article on this topic, http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/rare-sweet-potatoes-make-a-comeback/2012/11/13/e7c94838-2777-11e2-9972-71bf64ea091c_story.html?wpisrc=nl_home

[Zeldaz]

Wish I could get some of those varieties here! Maybe the local co-op has some, as they are now growing some of their own produce.

[SarasotaCook]

The organic stand at my local Farmers Market usually has a couple of varieties; and whole foods, also carries them on occasion.

[Zeldaz]

The nearest Whole Foods is three hours away, unfortunately. I don't know why they don't open one in El Paso, that's only an hour away.