True yams are plants from Africa and Asia. They’re ancient. People have been eating them for over 10,000 years. They can grow up to 100 pounds.
Try carrying that to the checkout counter. The flesh of a real yam is white, starchy, and dry. It tastes more like a potato or even a cassava. It’s not sweet at all.
Their skin is tough. You need a sharp knife just to break through. Sweet potato skin? Thin and easy to peel. You can even eat it.
The Color Code
Look at the inside of a “yam.” Orange? That’s a sweet potato. White or purple? That could be a real yam. Or it’s just a white-fleshed sweet potato. Confused yet?
Difference Between Yam And Sweet Potato Fries at Zac Wilmot blog
Here’s a cheat code: check the label. If it says “Garnet” or “Jewel,” it’s a sweet potato. Those are just fancy variety names. The USDA literally requires them to be labeled as sweet potatoes. So why do stores call them yams? Tradition. And a dash of mischief.
Real yams are rare in North America. You’ll find them in international markets. They sell them as “African yams” or “ñame.” They look like a log with warts.
