Yes, all so-called “yams” are in fact sweetpotatoes. Most people think that long, red-skinned sweetpotatoes are yams, but they really are just one of many varieties of sweetpotatoes.
Can yams be used in place of sweet potatoes?
Though you're not likely to find true yams at your grocery store, yams and sweet potatoes are interchangeable in most recipes.
What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes in cooking?
No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.
Do yams taste the same as sweet potatoes?
While yams and sweet potatoes are the same in their application, they differ in taste, texture, and appearance. Sweet potatoes live up to the 'sweet' in their name, while yams are more earthy and neutral. Yams have a lot of the same starchiness as traditional potatoes, while sweet potatoes can be softer and gooier.
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