The yam vs sweet potato mix-up started back in the day when African yams were imported to the US, and American farmers began growing sweet potatoes as a substitute. Fast forward to today, and we've got a tuber-ular identity crisis on our hands! To make things worse, even some restaurants and cookbooks use the terms interchangeably - oh, the horror!
So, what sets these two apart? For starters, sweet potatoes are generally sweeter and softer than yams, which are starchier and drier. And don't even get us started on the skin - sweet potatoes have a smooth, thin skin, while yams are more rough and scaly, like a grandma's knitting.
The Difference Between A Yam And Sweet Potato | TAFT Independent
But here's the thing: yams are actually really hard to find in most American supermarkets, so chances are, you've never even tasted a real yam! They're more commonly found in African and Asian markets, where they're a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes. On the other hand, sweet potatoes are everywhere - in our mashed potatoes, our fries, and even our smoothies (yes, really!).