Content
The difference between sweet potatoes and potatoes lies in many ways. These plants, which bear tuber fruits, are completely different, but at the same time they have external similarities and similar taste qualities. In turn, sweet potatoes are popular in foreign countries, and potatoes, in contrast, are more in demand in Russia.
Sweet potatoes are often called sweet potatoes.
Is it the same thing or not?
Sweet potatoes and potatoes are tuberous plants, which are considered to be native to the tropical regions of South America. The first culture belongs to the genus Ipomoea (convolvulaceae family), the second - Nightshade (Solanaceae). Sweet potato, unlike potatoes, is a vine with long stems up to 5 m, which form bushes 15-20 cm high. Its tubers grow on the roots during their development. Potatoes have a hard and long stem up to 100 cm in height. The difference between tubers is that they are modified shoots that grow from the underground part of the stem and do not belong to the roots.
How to distinguish sweet potatoes from potatoes
The difference between sweet potatoes and potatoes lies in the taste, appearance of the bushes, and the color of the fruit under the skin. Their differences are easy to determine; just make an incision or take a sample.
The difference between tubers is their size; the first one grows several times larger
By composition and calorie content
If you compare potatoes and sweet potatoes in composition, you can see that they have some similarities. They contain approximately the same amount of minerals (iron, calcium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, potassium) and vitamins (A, B, C, E, K).
The nutritional value of the products is identical, although, according to experts and nutritionists, sweet potatoes are healthier than potatoes, as they contain more carbohydrates. In addition, the difference between the culture is the increased content of beta-carotene, which forms vitamin A in the body. This means that it strengthens vision more strongly, gives health to hair, skin and bones. 100 g of sweet potato contains 170% beta-carotene of the required daily intake. As for calorie content, this figure is 80 kcal in potatoes, and 86 kcal in sweet potatoes.
Differences in nutritional value of tubers:
| Sweet potato (100 g) | Potatoes (100 g) |
Squirrels | 1.57 g | 2.02 g |
Carbohydrates | 20.12 g | 17.79 g |
Fats | 0.05 g | 0.09 g |
By glycemic index
Sweet potatoes contain a lot of starch and sugar, but, unlike regular potatoes, they have a lower glycemic index. It is accompanied by a slight insulin response and can be used by patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.Unlike potatoes, the index of which varies from 60 to 90 units depending on the variety, in this potato this indicator is about 55.
According to taste
Sweet potatoes or yams have a difference in taste from regular potatoes. It can be eaten raw. Dessert varieties have a rich, sweet flavor comparable to pumpkin, banana or melon. Vegetable varieties resemble frozen potatoes. While a regular tuber has a salty-starchy taste and requires heat treatment before consumption. When cooked, its texture becomes loose and soft.
According to the characteristics of cultivation
Sweet potatoes are mainly grown in areas and regions with hot climates. What makes it different is its unpretentious care; even in the warm season, it practically does not need watering. In Russia, it is planted in seedlings, since during the short summer period the tubers do not have time to form a new crop. The planting material does not tolerate low temperatures at all, which is why it is planted only after the warm weather outside has stabilized and the threat of night frosts has completely passed. Sweet potatoes are planted in rows with an interval of 60 to 90 cm, with a distance of 30 cm between plants. Harvest before the temperature drops below 10 ° C.
The difference between ordinary potatoes is that they grow in cooler conditions, and at temperatures above 28 ° C they stop developing altogether.It is planted with tubers, which 10-15 days before the planned planting are laid out in a warm place for sprouts to appear. The crop is planted in the soil when it warms up to 6 °C, at a distance of 35 cm from each other. The interval between rows is maintained at half a meter. The plant needs regular watering and preventive measures to prevent diseases and repel pests. Potato harvesting begins towards the end of summer, but some varieties can be dug up as early as July.
By area of application
Potatoes and sweet potatoes can be used for human consumption and also as livestock feed. Both crops have special varieties for this purpose with not particularly pronounced taste characteristics. The difference between sweet potatoes is that they can be used to prepare sweet dishes.
Table varieties of plants have a rich taste
By appearance
Externally, the cultures are also slightly different. Sweet potatoes are fairly large tubers of orange or red color. When cut, the fruits have a pale carrot color. Their shape is most often oblong. The difference between potatoes is that they are much smaller in size. Its shape is round, the surface is uneven, covered with eyes. The peel of the fruit can have different colors and, depending on the variety, can be pink, brown, yellow, or red. When cut, the tuber is yellow or white in color.
Which is healthier: sweet potato or potato?
Since sweet potatoes are more beneficial, they are recommended for use in baby food. Kids are more willing to eat sweet dishes, so they love various soups and purees with this crop. In addition, desserts are prepared with it: pies, mousses, chips and even candies.As for ordinary potatoes, they are present in recipes for everyday first and second courses. The fruit goes well with almost all vegetables, meat, and chicken.
Both cultures have beneficial qualities, and each is valuable for health. But sweet potatoes win in this regard. It improves digestion, strengthens the immune system, helps brain function, improves mood, and is useful for diseases such as:
- stomach ulcer;
- insomnia;
- bronchial asthma;
- arthritis;
- cold.
Sweet potatoes have proven themselves as a preventative against osteoporosis and cancer pathologies.
Sweet potato or potato for weight loss
For those people who are trying to lose weight, sweet potatoes are definitely better than potatoes. There are many recipes for dietary dishes with it; many use it for fasting days. But eating potatoes during a diet is not recommended.
Conclusion
The difference between sweet potato and potato lies mainly in its taste as well as its origin. According to the botanical description, these crops are completely different. They are not related to each other by anything other than a common name. They converge with each other only in their identical composition and individual characteristics.
