The Sweet Potato/Yam Identity Crisis
Posted By Laura Seewoester in Square Pegs on October 29, 2008
Okay foodies, I'm sure this question comes every year around this time. What the hell is the difference between the sweet potato and the yam? Our very own Laura Evans was making a recipe using sweet potatoes and came into some interesting encounters at the grocery store.
"I went to the store and they didn't have any sweet potatoes. So I asked, and he says they have yams and I say 'uhh I don't need a yam I need a sweet potato.' Then I hurry off and he gives me a weird look. Next store: no sweet potatoes. So I ask and he gets a box from the back. WTF? How am I supposed to know what I'm buying?"
Apparently there is a difference. So why are the terms used interchangeably if they are different, and how do you know which one you are actually buying?
Collin Gouldin says:
its all marketing ... did you know you CAN NOT buy a cantaloupe in America? what you think you're buying is actually a muskmelon.
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Scott says:
Never fear, Laura. Sweet Potato Awareness Month is nigh: http://www.sweetpotatoawareness.org/
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Laura Seewoester says:
Thank you Scott, for clearing up the "yam scam." So now we know. If you want true yams, check out your closest Asian grocer. I wonder if the people over at Central Market know the difference...
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Vic Savelli says:
Golden, Texas, which is about 80 miles East of Dallas, is known as the "Sweet potato capital of the United States". Last weekend was the annual sweet potato festival there.
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Pavel Lishin says:
That's what I love about this state. There's at least a dozen "<vegetable fruit="" mineral=""> Capital of the <united states="" world="">" cities around, each with their own wacky themed festival.</united></vegetable>
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