2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Sweet potatoes (Ipomaea Batatas) is a type of sweet potato that is not actually a real potato, but belongs to a separate species. It is part of another plant family - Convolvulaceae. Sweet potato is a perennial species belonging to the gramophone family. It is also known by the names patat, earth apple or sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes is a large and tasty root native to the tropics of America. There are many varieties, but the two most common are the light sweet potato and the dark brown sweet potato, called "yam" by the Americans. In the tropics of America, sweet potatoes form highly divided and rich in carbohydrates tubers. Although chemically close to potatoes, they still have a very different taste.
Sweet potatoes are one of the most ancient agricultural crops, and today there are a huge number of their varieties - about 400 varieties. Evidence that sweet potatoes have been known to humans since prehistoric times has been found in Peruvian caves, and the finds date back to 10,000 BC.
The English word 'potato' comes from the Spanish word 'batata', meaning 'sweet potato' (Ipmoea batatas). It is known that the sweet potato was brought by Christopher Columbus himself, who discovered it in the Caribbean. In fact, ordinary potatoes have a very distant connection with sweet potatoes. The two roots are similar and in fact both cultures consume their underground part, which has been the reason for centuries to be often confused sweet potato and potatoes. There is a difference between the two types in the shape, bark and color of the core.
Today, about 90% of sweet potatoes are grown in Asia, which is why they are especially popular in the local cuisine. Sweet potatoes are considered one of the most nutritious plant products in the world. The inside of the sweet potato can be of different colors - most often orange. Sweet potatoes are believed to be healthier than ordinary potatoes and are cultivated because of their carbohydrate-rich underground tubers. They are usually white, yellow, pink or red. They reach 30 cm in length and weigh up to 500 g.
Sweet potato composition
100 g of sweet potatoes contain between 84-90 kcal. In these tubers there is a large amount of starch - 10-30%. 6% are sugars, and there is a lot of vitamin A, B and C, salts of potassium, manganese, phosphorus, iron and others.
Sweet potatoes have a lot of sugar and carotene, but are free of fat and cholesterol. They are quite low in sodium and are a good source of fiber. Sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index and can be consumed by diabetics without any worries.
Chinese sweet potatoes contain glycoside, choline, oxidants, many vitamins, folic acid, many amino acids and other nutrients.
100 g of sweet potatoes contain:
Vitamin A - 709 mg; -SS carotene - 8509 mg; Thiamine (vitamin B1) - 0.1 mg; Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - 0.1 mg; Niacin (Vitamin B3) - 0.61 mg; Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.8 mg; Vitamin B6 - 0.2 mg; Folate (Vitamin B9) - 11 mg; Vitamin C - 2.4 mg; Calcium - 30 mg; Iron - 0.6 mg; Magnesium - 25 mg; Phosphorus - 47 mg; Potassium - mg 337; Zinc - 0.3 mg; Calories - 90 kcal (360 kJ).
Types of sweet potatoes
There is a great variety in the varieties of sweet potatoes. According to sugar content, sweet potatoes are divided into sweet, semi-sweet and unsweetened. Unsweetened sweet potatoes are consumed like potatoes - baked, boiled or fried.
The semi-sweet sweet potato reminiscent of the taste of walnuts or chestnuts. It can be consumed completely raw or similar to the previous type - after all types of heat treatment.
Sweet sweet potatoes are used just like fruits, they are used to make jam, wine or alcohol. In addition, the ground part of the plant is used - the young leaves are placed in various salads.
Selection and storage of sweet potatoes
When buying sweet potatoes, choose ones that have flat and smooth skin. Avoid tubers with bruises, injuries and soft spots. Do not buy frozen sweet potatoes, because they have altered taste and useful properties. Keep in mind that sweet potatoes spoil much faster than potatoes.
Store sweet potatoes in a dark, cool and dry place at a temperature not exceeding 15 degrees. The higher the humidity in the room, the faster they spoil. Do not store sweet raw potatoes in the refrigerator. Properly stored, sweet potatoes can be stored from one week to 10 days. Once cooked, you can keep them chilled for about a week.
Culinary use of sweet potatoes
Extremely tasty and with a pleasant sweet taste, sweet potatoes are prepared as we are used to preparing ordinary potatoes. We can emphasize the difference that sweet potatoes are used to make quite tasty cakes, while ordinary potatoes do not have such a practice. The roots are not the only edible part of sweet potatoes. The leaves of this vegetable are used in a way similar to those of spinach.
Often sweet potatoes are prepared boiled, baked, sauteed, added to various cooked dishes, soups, they are made into a puree. Marinated roasted meat with sweet potato is guaranteed delicious, and slices of sweet potato can even be grilled. Sweet potatoes can be added to cakes, pancakes and spicy souffles. In addition, you can cook it without fat, which is good for your waist.
A guaranteed way to prepare them is to bake them in the oven. In addition to the main dish of sweet potatoes, you can also prepare dessert. In addition, sweet potatoes are also used to produce alcohol, starch, flour and flakes.
Oriental chips from are very popular sweet potato. In China you can find sweet potato chips covered with sugar, in the USA they prefer salty ones, and in Bangladesh this type of chips is flavored with cayenne pepper and citric acid.
Benefits of sweet potatoes
Proteins in sweet potato have antioxidant properties, which automatically makes them extremely valuable and useful food. Sweet potatoes are a recommended food for people suffering from cardiovascular disease, small bowel cancer or colon cancer. They do not cause constipation and reduce the risk of diabetes, heart problems and obesity.
Sweet potatoes are believed to protect against asthma, osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis. They are ideal food for the elderly and pregnant women.
In China, they are traditionally used as a remedy for diabetes, frequent urination, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, asthma, cough, loss of appetite, pollution and sexual disorders.
The presence of beta-carotene in these sweet potatoes helps the body fight free radicals. The sweet taste of sweet potatoes, and more precisely the substances that cause it, help to purify the blood and maintain normal blood pressure levels. Regular consumption of sweet potato is good for the stomach, having a positive effect on ulcers and eliminating the possibility of inflammation of the colon.
The high nutritional value of sweet potatoes makes them a suitable food for people subjected to one or another type of physical activity. Among other things, sweet potatoes, consumed as a snack, can help you lose weight because it creates a feeling of satiety for hours.
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Growing Potatoes Sweet Potatoes
Sweet sweet potatoes are much more dietary and useful than ordinary potatoes. For some people they are a delicacy, and for others part of the daily menu. This type of potato originates from Central America. Gradually, sweet potatoes became very popular because they were distributed by Spanish merchant ships in the Philippines and North America, and by the Portuguese in India, South Asia and African countries.
What Are Sweet Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes , also called sweet potatoes , are tuberous vegetables native to Central America. It is well received all over the world, having been carried almost everywhere. Asia is the continent where the richest variety of recipes for sweet potato dishes is offered.
Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients, delicious root vegetables. They have a creamy texture and are very soft, which makes them a very suitable ingredient for many recipes. In addition, scientists have found that sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of Vitamin A.
Sweet Potatoes Vs. Yams: What's The Difference?
The terms sweet potatoes and yams often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. While both are underground tuberous vegetables, they are actually very different - they belong to different plant families. So where does the confusion come from?
Culinary Temptations With Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes or sweet potatoes do not differ much from ordinary ones in the way they are prepared. Sweet potatoes are a type of sweet potato. However, it is not a real potato and belongs to a separate species. The large and tasty sweet potato root originates from the tropics of America.
