What Are The Two Types Of Yams?

Two types of yams dominate the West Africa starchy vegetable group — the white guinea yam (D. rotundata) and the yellow guinea yam (D. cayenensis). Both are large, weighing about 4 to 6 pounds.

What are the different types of yam?

YamRepresentative speciesThe six (6) edible yam species are Dioscorea alata (water yam), Dioscorea rotundata (white guinea yam), Dioscorea esculanta (Chinese or lesser yam), Dioscorea cayenensis (yellow guinea yam), Dioscorea bulbifera (aerial or bulbils yam)and Dioscorea dumetorum (trifoliate or bitter yam) (Purseglove, 1972; Degras L.

How many different kind of yams are there?

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.

What is the difference between yams and wild yams?

True yams are actually a completely different category of vegetable and have no relation to potatoes or sweet potatoes. Let’s learn more about what actual yams are. When you see the term “Chinese yam” or “wild yam,” these are actually referring to this different type of yam which is in the Dioscoreae family.

What are the two types of sweet potatoes?

Among the numerous varieties of sweet potatoes grown in the U.S., there are two major types.

• Firm sweet potatoes, which have golden skin and paler flesh.
• Soft sweet potatoes, which have copper skin and orange flesh.

What is the common name for yam?

Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera); leaves and aerial bulbils.
Pictures.

Title	Leaves
Caption	Dioscorea alata (winged yam, uhi); leaves. Maui Nui Botanical Garden, Maui. November 06, 2006

Is there a difference between a yam and a sweet potato?

The skin of a yam (left) looks kind of like tree bark, while a sweet potato (right) is more reddish-brown. Real yams are entirely different root vegetables that are more like yucca in texture and flavor. They have bumpy, tough brown skin (that looks almost tree trunk-like) with starchy, not sweet flesh.

Why are sweet potatoes called yams?

It seems that American slaves referred to the soft orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as “yams” because of their similarity to the true yams they knew from Africa. Growers began using this name to distinguish them from the firm white-fleshed varieties of sweet potatoes, and the name stuck.

What are American yams?

Often North Americans use the words “yam” & “sweet potato” interchangeably. However, a true yam is a starchy, edible tuber, generally with a drier taste than a sweet potato.

What’s the sweetest sweet potato?

Beauregard Sweet Potatoes
Beauregard Sweet Potatoes
They are the sweetest orange sweet potato on this list and are plenty juicy, making them a great all-purpose sweet potato.

Which is healthier yam or sweet potato?

Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than yams. Sweet potatoes and yams are both healthy foods, and they look similar. Sweet potatoes, however, have higher concentrations of most nutrients and more fiber.

What are the side effects of wild yam?

When taken by mouth: Wild yam is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It’s usually well tolerated, but taking large amounts might cause vomiting, upset stomach, and headache. When applied to the skin: Wild yam is possibly safe when applied to the skin.

What does wild yam do to the body?

The bottom line
Wild yam root is widely sold as a skin cream but may also be found as a supplement. It has traditionally been used to treat hormonal conditions, such as menopause and PMS, as well as alleviate symptoms of arthritis. However, current studies don’t support the claims surrounding menopause and PMS.

What is the best sweet potato to eat?

The Japanese satsuma-imo is my absolute favorite sweet potato. It features beautiful dark-purple skin and pale yellow flesh than darkens as it cooks. These sweet potatoes are much denser than most of the orange varieties, and starchier, too.

Which sweet potato is healthiest?

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

How do you pick the best yams?

To select healthy yams, pick yams that are firm to touch all the way around and have very small to no cracks. While yam skin is highly textured, it shouldn’t be wrinkled like an old cucumber. These tips are generally helpful but note that at different stages of life, the taste of the yam changes.

Are raw yams poisonous?

Naturally occurring plant proteins found in yams can be toxic and cause illness if consumed raw. Peeling and cooking yams thoroughly will remove any harmful substances ( 17 ).

Are yams healthy for you?

They’re a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. Yams are linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. They’re versatile, easy to prepare, and a great vegetable to include in your diet in both sweet and savory dishes.

Where are yams originally from?

Yams originated in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Africans call yams “nyami,” which is where we get the word “yam.” They are cylindrical and vary in size. Some of the largest yams have weighed more than 100 pounds and have been several feet long.

Is yam Good for Diabetes?

Loaded with nutrients specially fibre, yam has made it to the list of foods suited for management of weight, diabetes and blood cholesterol levels.

Which is sweeter yams or sweet potatoes?

Sweetpotatoes are almost always sweeter than yams. They have versatile flavor easily altered by cooking methods. Starchier and more potato-like, usually not very sweet. Versatile; flavor easily altered by cooking methods.