Sweet potatoes are a major staple of fall and winter, and for good reason – they’re delicious! They’re also incredibly versatile, come in a variety of types, and have a unique history. Read on for sweet potato information that we hope will serve you and your customers this holiday season!
There are five main types of sweet potato that are commonly consumed today—Garnet, Hannah, Japanese, Jewel, and Purple Stoke. While all are delicious, each variety has its own distinct flavor and texture that lends itself to a variety of cooking applications. They are also high in vitamin A and potassium, and are a low glycemic food!
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There are over 400 different varieties of sweet potatoes and all are not created equal. Like apples, it all depends on personal taste. One of the many benefits of growing your own food is that you are able to try different varieties that you cannot obtain from the grocery store or farmers’ market.
Japanese Sweet Potato (Murasaki)
Sweetness:
Japanese sweet potatoes, which includes the Murasaki variety, have reddish-purple skin with whitish flesh that turns golden when cooked. Its shape is more round than cylindrical. The flavor is very sweet and the texture is fairly firm. We think these taste best roasted or steamed.
Garnet Sweet Potato
Sweetness:
Garnets have dusty brown maroon colored skin which happens to be the inspiration behind its name. Inside, the flesh is a brilliant golden orange. It is starchier and moister than other varieties and offers mild sweet flavor with savory earthiness. These are great for baking, casseroles, and mashing.
Produce Geek’s Guide to Sweet Potatoes!
FAQ
How many types of sweet potatoes are there?
What is the difference between Japanese sweet potatoes and Caribbean sweet potatoes?
What are the varieties with sweet potato?
Which sweet potato is the healthiest?
How much sugar is present in sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates but have a low glycemic index. Sweet potatoes are known to be beneficial for individuals with diabetes, especially due to their high levels of magnesium and fiber, which can help reduce insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugar. For 100g of sweet potatoes, 4. 2g of sugar can be found.
Is a sweet potato a potato?
For starters, a sweet potato isn’t a potato at all, meaning it’s not a member of the Solanum tuberosum potato family from which French fries, mashed potatoes, and latkes are made; their composition of simple sugars and complex starches are quite different.
What are the best sweet potato varieties?
When it comes to high levels of anthocyanins, the best sweet potato varieties are those with purple flesh. These are also believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic effects. Moreover, they contain a good amount of soluble dietary fiber and anti-oxidants.