I had heard several people asking one another what the dark mushy stuff was, so I quickly told them that it was sweet potato casserole. It is made up of polysaccharides, a type of edible starch that your body can use as energy. TASTE – Very sweet and fairly firm inside. And then there are ones which have a purple skin but are actually orange inside! While yams are usually bigger, sweeter, and moister than the average sweet potato, the primary distinguishing factor is the skin. We recommend that you do your own independent research before purchasing anything. I know that some purple sweet potatoes are both purple inside and out. However, yams are a completely different sort of vegetable, and you shouldn’t mistake them for sweet potatoes. The year before, I had made the same dish using orange potatoes, and it had disappeared quickly. Next time you are at the market buying sweet potatoes, look around and see if you spot something a little different. But there are also ones that have a yellowish-brown skin rather than a purple one. Oriental/Murasaki Sweet Potatoes. The white ooze in your sweet potato is perfectly safe to eat. The confusion comes from an unfortunate attempt to distinguish between varieties of these root veggies hundreds of years ago. Over 90% of sweetpotatoes sold in Australia are Beauregard. Incidentally, yams and sweet potatoes are different. (2), They’re a good source of antioxidant nutrients and compounds, including vitamins A, C, E, and K. Purple types are also high in anthocyanins, flavonoids that has been shown to have beneficial effects for liver health. Download Our Favorite Paleo Recipes For Free. SKIN – Purple and fairly smooth. Some people shy away from purple sweet potatoes because of their dark appearance after they have been cooked. @burcinc-- As far as I know, yes, it is safe in moderation (as all other carbohydrates). Get this: In their own skins, sweet potatoes cook up to only 103 calories a pop. Only the purple flesh ones are real purple sweet potatoes. Minor infections can appear as tubelike cavities in the sweet potato. Various types of sweet potatoes are very versatile when it comes to cooking. Today, they are widely grown in Hawaii and exported to the United States mainland where they are popular with Asian and Latino communities. But there’s a good explanation in this case… even though the outer eggplant is a vibrant purple, the inside … White sweet potatoes, on the other hand, have a lighter, golden-colored skin and white flesh. "All Blue" is the most commonly marketed potato with purple inside, and is increasingly available in supermarkets. This beneficial quality is actually enhanced by cooking the potatoes, making them a sought-after ally by many in the fight against cancer. They also vary significantly in size, growing up to 150 pounds. ), we’d resort to laborious descriptions of what the skin looked like, what color the flesh was, how it tasted, etc. Fusarium can enter the root after mechanical injury, but susceptible slips planted in fusarium-infected soil are also affected. Anthocyanins from purple sweet potato showed higher levels of activity than ascorbic acid (vitamin C). These are purple inside and out and have a long, narrow shape. How about sweet potato pancakes or sweet potato and ginger soup or sweet potato and black bean enchiladas? Hernandez Sweet Potatoes. At first, my niece thought they were steak fingers! Copyright 2020 - NBIP LLC; Operated by Nourishing Brands LLC | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, Terms, & Conditions | Contact Are Purple Sweet Potatoes Genetically Modified? One of the things that always bothered me when living in China was I couldn’t tell what type of sweet potato I was buying. SKIN – Deep purple. Traditionally available primarily through Asian markets, these sweet potatoes have become an increasingly popular crop for farmers in the U.S. Consequently, they are more readily available in mainstream supermarkets and produce stores than they once were. Boost Your Energy, Lose Weight, & Feel Better by Starting the Smart Way. The Okinawan sweet potato is white outside in purple inside. Put the steaming rack into the pressure cooker pot and add in 1 cup of water. Originating in Louisiana, this type of sweet potato matures slowly, taking up to 125 days to be ready to harvest. FLESH – Cream/whitish colored that becomes yellow when baked. What the heck is this stuff? TASTE – Mildly sweet and fairly firm inside. I ended up cutting 1" wedges, and washed the white stuff off, and nuked them and tasted fine. Consequently, many people are taken aback when they first see the vibrant violet hue that is characteristic of purple sweet potatoes. Purple sweet purple contains high carbohydrate so it can replace rice. Purple sweet potatoes are growing in popularity as well. However, since sweet potatoes, especially purple sweet potatoes, are rich in fiber, vitamins and something called adiponectin, it is much healthier than it seems at first glance. They’re a little bit creamier than Stokes, and are often found in the Hawaiian classic, Haupia pie. The young shoots and leaves are sometimes eaten as greens.The sweet potato is distantly related to the common potato (Solanum tuberosum), both being in the order Solanales. People very often confuse sweet potatoes with yams, using the terms interchangeably. The color of a sweet potato’s skin generally matches the color of the flesh, while the color of a yam’s skin will not. Cooks roast them with butter and sugar to enhance their sweetness or bake and serve them with any number of toppings. Japanese sweet potatoes (Satsuma Imo) are sometimes referred to as white sweet potatoes, even though they’re purple on the outside and yellow on the inside. You can still cook your yams as normal and enjoy this delicious root vegetable. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. FLESH – Orange. FLESH – Deep orange. However, they should be avoided by people who have kidney stones. Generally a little harder to find than other types of sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes can be prepared in a number of different ways. Like Yukon Golds, these are really versatile. Anti bacteria; There are many health benefits of sweet purple potatoes – Purple sweet potato anti-bacterial activity reached 3.2 times higher than various types of blueberries. They are an exotic alternative to traditional sweet potatoes, and an eye-opening alternative to Irish potatoes. All the varieties described below are technically sweet potatoes, though they’re often called yams. Generally more round (“fatter”) than the Stokes purple variety, which are more elongated. NOTICE: The information contained or presented on this website is for educational purposes only. There are so many different ways to incorporate these nutrient-dense veggies into your diet. Gold: known as BEAUREGARD. Poke a few holes into each potato with a fork or knife, place in microwaveable dish, and microwave on high for 5-10 minutes. In addition, no statement on this website has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and any product mentioned or described on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Sweet potatoes are actually right on the border on the glycemic index between low and medium. I'm always trying to take things to another level and offer unique foods presented in a creative way to my guests. Purple sweet potatoes are a type that has a light purple skin and a deep purple flesh. You may bake everything in mini mold and wrap with colorful papers. I wanted to serve purple fries to my sister's family when they came over, but I was disappointed that they lost their vibrant color in the oven. TASTE – Pretty sweet and fairly firm inside (Hannahs are considered a dry or firm meaning that the flesh is pretty firm and dry when cooked). (5), Although sweet potatoes are high in starch, they are considered a low-glycemic index (GI) food by the American Diabetes Association, with a GI under 55, making them one of the safer sources of carbohydrate for people with blood sugar issues. The color is beautiful, purple, can be used as material for food coloring. SKIN – Orange/copper. Yams are tubers from from the Dioscoreaceae family, and are related to lilies and grasses. Well, the answer is really not that exciting. *Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Anthocyanin, the pigment that gives purple sweet potatoes their exotic color, also produces their potent antioxidant activity. Simply put, there is more than one type of sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals – especially vitamin A. These are what you typically find in the grocery store, even if the label says “yam”. Some people prefer to boil the potatoes and mash them for a colorful side dish that is sure to please. I think it would be a visually interesting food to serve at my cookout in a few weeks. Even though it won't be as nutritious, you can also use it in powder form to make diabetic desserts. Then, there are these 52 ways to love sweet potatoes from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission. Download Our Essential Paleo Pantry List For Free. Ironically, they appear similar to the white spots on the purple sweet potato I purchased at the asian grocery (shown here: NUTRITION – Data from Whole Foods. (8). Purple sweet potatoes have 2.5 times more antioxidants (anthocyanins) than their orange-fleshed counterparts. Japanese Sweet Potatoes. Generally a little harder to find than other types of sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes can be prepared in a number of different ways. Once they have been cooked, though, they are not as purple as they started out to be. My friend, who is living in Okinawa, expressed the same problem. They were a tad sweeter than orange sweet potatoes, so you might want to add some extra salt. TASTE – Very sweet and fairly firm inside. If you find a Russet potato (or a variety other than purple potatoes) with purple spots or veins, while the rest of the potato is white, I would say that it’s not a good idea to eat it. Yams (often mislabeled as sweet potatoes in the grocery store) are a starchy, dry vegetable that originated in Africa and Asia. While the orange variety is notoriously high in beta carotene, the purple type are better known for their cancer-fighting antioxidant potential. Any diet, health, or nutritional program you undertake should be discussed with your doctor or other licensed medical professional. A white, fungal growth often appears inside this tube. In addition, no statement on this website has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and any product mentioned or described on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This sweet potato is purple both inside and out. Click To Download Your Paleo Diet Food List. I had a hard time believing that something so bright and beautiful could also taste good. Sweet potatoes varieties have white flesh or orange flesh, and, there are even some varieties with purple flesh. Some are the bright orange-fleshed ones we’re used to, but others are pale yellow like the one above. Want more Paleo sweet potato recipes? Don’t confuse sweet potatoes with yams though, that’s a completely different story. I could not believe how purple this kind of potato was when I first cut into one. (7), Sweet potatoes are high in oxalates, compounds found in many plant foods, which are safe for most people. SKIN – Purple and fairly smooth. They are also a good source of vitamin C and potassium. I could not have told the difference if I had been blindfolded and fed both. Find all kinds of savory ways to eat sweet potatoes. The most unique sweet potato we grow and sell is our purple sweet potato. @giddion – Yes, they make great fries! You can stir it into a savory stew to feed a hungry crowd on game day, bake into a family-favorite casserole for a holiday meal, or simply roast a potato and eat it plain. Trader Joe's carries a different variety on occasion called the Murasaki. With a slightly sweet and mildly nutty flavor, people use purple sweet potatoes as a tasty, healthy accompaniment to many meals, often in place of regular potatoes. NUTRITION – Data from Whole Foods. TASTE – Mildly sweet, and pretty moist inside. If you eat too many of these tasty veggies you might notice your skin and nails looking a little orange! We recommend that you do your own independent research before purchasing anything. For instance, purple potatoes have skins that are light purple in color, which matches the vivid color inside, while a purple yam has a brown or tan skin, giving no clue as to the violet-colored flesh beneath. So does anyone have an idea about how safe this kind of potato is for diabetics? These are not to be confused with White Hayman sweet potatoes, which are somewhat dry and not very sweet. I think you should consume purple sweet potatoes if you can find them. The purple skin sweet potatoes generally takes shorter time to boil in water that the white skin ones. SKIN – Reddish/Dark Orange. The first is golden brown, the second is purple, and there is a white skinned variety. Why is the potato purple inside? In fact, take one look at the purple potatoes nutrition profile and it’s easy to see why they’re so great for improving your health. The sweet potato or sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. They generally always becomes mushy once cooked by boiling. Beauregard has a rose/gold smooth skin, with a moderately deep orange flesh. Orange sweet potatoes tend to be labeled as yams as a way to distinguish them from the white sweet potatoes. Research into the benefits of purple sweet potato shows that they have more antioxidants than red cabbage, elderberries, or grape skins. When most people think of a sweet potato, they imagine an orange-tinted tuber. Potato Puff Balls Ingredients Hot baked potatoes 2 tablespoons butter Rich cream Salt Paprika nut meats (fine chopped and seasoned) 1 egg yolk (slightly beaten) 1 egg white (stiff beaten) 1/2 teaspoon parsley (fine chopped) Action a. Scoop out the inside of hot baked potatoes. "Yams are starchy tubers that have an almost black bark-like skin and white, purple or reddish flesh and come in many varieties. There are four types of sweetpotato grown and sold in Australia: Gold, Red, Purple and White. I find it really hard to tell garnet and jewel varieties apart because their coloring is fairly similar both inside and outside. 15. White Sweet Potato Nutrition. Antioxidants help protect us from free radicals … The easiest way is to boil/steam/oven-bake/microwave/pressure cook the whole potato with the skin on. Is it safe to eat? Pricking small holes in the skins with a fork is an easy way to let that steam escape. NUTRITION – Data from Whole Foods. (BTW, these were organic sweet potatoes from Whole Foods). This is simply a buildup of betacarotene. It has a rating of fifty. Most of the world’s yams are grown in in Africa and Asia, and they are actually quite hard to find in the US. It’s a benign condition and it goes away when you reduce your intake. But we do have a few thoughts: We read often that white sweet potatoes are less sweet and more starchy than their orange counterparts. Since it's sweet, I bet it would be a good alternative to flour in pastries and desserts. So it falls into the category of foods to have once in a while for a diabetic. Last year at Thanksgiving, I made a big dish full of sliced purple sweet potatoes covered in butter and brown sugar, and only about half of it got eaten. FLESH – Whitish flesh that turns golden when baked. FLESH – Whitish flesh that turns golden when baked. Orange vs. white sweet potatoes. They have a taste very similar to the more common orange sweet potatoes but are generally believed to have more potent antioxidant properties. While all potatoes, including purple sweet potatoes, blue potatoes, white potatoes and yellow potatoes, are high in carbohydrates, they also contain fiber and an array of important vitamins and minerals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Weekly meal plans and shopping lists - 30 or few er ingredients per week - Full Nutritional Data - 100% Paleo. Check out this post of 66 Paleo sweet potato recipes here. Place the potatoes either into the water or onto a steaming rack. Poke a few holes into each potato with a fork or knife, and then bake in an oven preheated to 350-375 F (175-190 C) until a fork goes in easily (this takes approximately 45-90min – exact time depends on how large the potato is). In reality there is little difference in flavour. A variety of interesting recipes for these tasty tubers can easily be found on the Internet. Please note though, the type of vitamin A is betacarotene, and only a small percentage is actually converted to retinol, the usable form of vitamin A. Generally more round (“fatter”) than the Stokes purple variety, which are more elongated. FLESH – Deep purple. Nutrition: Vines of this purple potato produce large, oblong potatoes with purple … I'd like to know if I will need to use more salt than normal to balance out the sweetness. After Columbus' discoveries, they were brought to Asia, and varieties with white skin and speckled pale purple flesh were developed on the Japanese island of Okinawa. If it is possible, are they sweeter or not as sweet as regular sweet potato fries? If you take something that normally people would devour and tint it green or blue with food coloring, they don't want to touch it. 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