True yams are indigenous to Africa and Asia, with most grown in Africa, but there are over 150 varieties of yams available worldwide. Yams are mostly sold in chunks, sealed in plastic wrap—if you can even find them in the U.S. at all.
Are real yams available in the US?
Yams are imported into the USA and Canada from the Caribbean or Latin America. Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that are native to the USA. They have delicate skin and a sweet tasting moist texture. Depending on the variety, sweet potato flesh can vary from white to orange and even purple.
Can you buy fresh yams?
A true yam won't be found in your typical grocery store. Yams are grown in Africa and the Caribbean, so they are usually imported to the United States. They're most commonly sold in specialty shops, like African grocery stores.
What is a yam in the USA?
In the United States, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), especially those with orange flesh, are often referred to as "yams"
Where do you get yams?
Native to Africa and Asia, yams vary in size from that of a small potato to a record 130 pounds (as of 1999). There are over 600 varieties of yams and 95% of these crops are grown in Africa. Compared to sweet potatoes, yams are starchier and drier. Cocoyam (left), yam (middle) and plantain at Cameroon market.
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