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. Yams are rough, scaly, difficult to peel and very low in beta-carotene. 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.