The question of "What is the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?" keeps arising, so here is the truth. The white sweet potatoes you see at the grocery store are known as Firm Sweet Potatoes while the orange "Yams" you see right next to them are actually called Soft Sweet Potatoes. That's right those lovely orange potatoes labeled Yam are really part of the sweet potato family. The reason they were given the name "Yam" at the store was to be able to differentiate between the white sweet potatoes. Though sweet potatoes and yams are both tuberous root vegetables, they are actually very different from each other. Yams are a black/brown color with a bark like feel and white, purple flesh. They can actually grow up to five feet in size! You won't see yams in your typical grocery store though, they are typically sold at international markets.

Now if you're curious about the difference between firm and soft sweet potatoes, the firm potatoes tend to remain firm once cooked and are slightly drier with a mild sweet taste while the soft have a creamy texture and are sweeter in taste. The soft sweet potato also provides a higher amount of vitamin A due to its orange pigment from beta-carotenes.

Typically the Orange sweet potatoes are most popular to eat, but it's all about your preference! My favorite way to eat the orange potatoes is by roasting them at 350 for about 20-25 minutes with coconut oil and cinnamon. You can add them to your oatmeal, yogurt bowl, or enjoy with any nut butter.

References: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sweet-potatoes-vs-yams#modal-close