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Further, they found fossilized remains of the plant in the Andes around 8,000 years old. Researchers found that the oldest evidence of sweet potato cultivation in Peru, dating back 5000 years ago. However, it's important to note that hundreds of other plant varieties belong to this family, not just the sweet potato – the wild precursor to the sweet potato almost certainly arose in Central America. Researchers from India identified 57-million-year-old morning glory family plant fossils. A recent study suggests that India might have an origin claim, as well.

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While it's a commonly-held belief that sweet potatoes came from several regions in America, the sweet potato's full history is not clear cut. The crop most likely spread throughout South and Central America through human influence. The 'modern' sweet potato likely originated between Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and Venezuela's Orinoco River. trifida only grows an inedible pencil-thick root, quite a far cry from the tasty tuber we know and love! The sweet potato's oldest known ancestor is Ipomoea trifida, a morning glory species native to South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Early Origin of the Sweet Potato Wild Varieties

The sweet potato's versatility means that you can use it for both sweet and savory dishes.Ĭooked together with hearty casseroles, fried into crispy chips or fries, or eaten at Thanksgiving with marshmallows are just a few of the endless ways you can incorporate this superfood into your diet. Often in the United States, 'yams' and sweet potatoes are interchangeable, but an actual yam is a different tuber altogether. Another theory suggests native African slaves in the Southern Colonies lent the word 'yam' to denote the sweet potato's similarities to the yams back home. (Oh, and it tastes quite different.)Įarly American farmers called softer sweet potato varieties 'yams' to distinguish them from their firmer sweet potato counterparts. Sweet potatoes and yams often are mistaken for each other due to their similar appearance, but a true yam comes from the lily family. Today, many well-known organizations, both national and international, advocate for a one-word name – sweetpotato – to emphasize the plant's unique genetics and to further differentiate it from similar root crops. It wasn't until the 1740s that the 'sweet' part was added by American colonists to distinguish it from the popular Irish potato. It was a combination of the indigenous Taíno word 'batata' and the Quecha word 'papa.'

The Spaniards, who introduced the sweet potato to Europe in the late 1490s, called it ' patata' (or potato in English). The history of the sweet potato dates back tens of thousands of years – but its name doesn't. As such, many developing countries take advantage of this fast-growing, nutrient-rich superfood to feed much of their population. Like other root crops, sweet potatoes have a high calorie per acre growth ratio compared to grains. Many studies suggest that these substances have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, among other benefits. For instance, purple-fleshed sweet potatoes derive their beautiful color from natural pigments called anthocyanins. The food is also a decent source of vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and manganese. Many nutritionists value their high beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), vitamin C, and potassium content. The sweet potato is a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, and fiber-rich food. Vitamins, Minerals, Macronutrients, Other Compounds A looser soil with bigger pockets of air lets the roots grow and reach down. They grow well in loamy, well-drained soil with a sandier composition. Depending on the variety, the growing period can last between three to six months. Sweet potatoes thrive in areas with long hot summers. When boiled or baked, the flesh turns soft and stringy. When roasted or fried, the exterior becomes caramelized and crispy. Once cooked, sweet potatoes develop a mild, starchy, sweet flavor. However, hundreds of varieties cultivated worldwide display other hues such as deep purple, reddish-purple, yellow, cream, and white.

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You can spot these root crops from far away, with the most common varieties sporting copper skin and equally vibrant orange flesh.

They both are in the order Solanae however, potatoes are in the nightshade family while sweet potatoes belong to the Morning Glory family ( Convolvulaceae). Despite the name, sweet potatoes ( Ipomea batatas) aren't closely related to 'regular' potatoes.