Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
About Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy root vegetables with a creamy texture and vibrant color. They come in orange, white, and purple varieties — each with its own flavor and use.
They’re baked, fried, mashed, roasted, grilled, steamed, pureed — there’s little they can’t do.
The History of Sweet Potato
Native to Central and South America, sweet potatoes were domesticated over 5,000 years ago. They traveled across the Pacific via Polynesian voyagers long before Columbus, eventually becoming staples in Asia and Africa.
In the U.S., they were historically cultivated by Indigenous communities and later embraced in Southern and soul food cuisines.
The Science of Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene (especially the orange varieties), fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Purple types contain anthocyanins, while white ones are starchier and milder.
They have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, despite their sweetness.
The Geography of Sweet Potato
Top producers include China, Nigeria, Indonesia, and the U.S. (notably North Carolina). In Japan, they’re roasted whole (yaki imo); in Peru, they’re paired with ceviche; in West Africa, they’re pounded or added to stews.
Sweet potatoes thrive in warm, tropical to subtropical climates.
Varieties of Sweet Potato
Beauregard
Common in U.S. supermarkets. Orange flesh, smooth texture, fast growing.
Japanese (Satsumaimo)
Purple skin, white flesh. Starchy and sweet with chestnut flavor.
Okinawan Purple
Vibrant purple inside and out. Earthy and loaded with antioxidants.
Jewel
Similar to Beauregard but slightly sweeter. Excellent roasted.
Hannah (White Sweet Potato)
Beige skin and white flesh. Drier and milder in flavor.
FAQs All your questions about Sweet Potato: answered
Are sweet potatoes and yams the same?
No — true yams are starchy tubers from Africa and Asia. Sweet potatoes are sweeter and botanically different.
Can you eat sweet potato skin?
Yes — it’s full of fiber and nutrients. Just scrub it well.
Do sweet potatoes spike blood sugar?
Less than white potatoes, especially when eaten with fat or fiber.
What’s the best way to cook sweet potatoes?
Roasting concentrates sweetness. Boiling makes them silkier. Frying gives crisp contrast.