Potatoes are edible tuber which are available all over the world and are produced all year round. They are relatively affordable to grow, rich in nutrients. Because the potato is low in carbohydrates, it became very high in demand. The fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals it provides can help ward off disease and benefit human health.
They were first domesticated in the Andes in South America up to 10,000 years ago. Potatoes were introduced by the Spanish explorers to Europe in the early 16th century.
Potatoes are now the biggest vegetable crop in the United States (U.S.), where an average person eats 55 pounds or 25 kilograms (kg) of potatoes every year. They are an important staple food all over the world.
Different Kinds Of Sweet Potatoes
#1. Stokes purple sweet potato
This variety has a rich purple skin, it is gorgeous and possesses a flesh that maintains its color after it has been cooked. The Stokes purple sweet potato is Great in different recipes and can be used in pies, fries, or chips. The color is pure pleasure for children and adults when served on plates.
- Skin is deep purple.
- Flesh is deep purple.
- The taste is not very sweet and has pretty dry inside.
#2. New Jewell
New Jewell sweet potato is an improved centennial and winner of blue ribbons for color, taste, and yield. The outside flesh is a rosy red with deep orange color on the inside. It bakes quickly resulting in a soft, pleasant texture when eaten.
#3. Red Jewel
Red Jewel sweet potato is another cultivar, it is an old fashion favorite and it always appears the most attractive in the garden with a deep red outside and orange inside.
#4. Oriental
Oriental Sweet potato is also referred to as the Japanese sweet potato, it has a beautiful pink to purple skin and it is white on the interior. Its flavor is delicious and sweet. Some people assume it resembles the taste of a chestnut. It can be grilled, steamed, or baked; it is attractive in any presentation. It is a wonderful cultivar to grow.
#5. Hannah Sweet Potatoes
The skin is cream-colored and very smooth. The flesh is cream or whitish colored which becomes yellow when baked.
The taste is very sweet and fairly firm inside. Hannahs is considered dry or firm because the flesh is always pretty firm and dry when cooked.
#6. Bunch Porto Ricos
Bunch Porto Ricos is a cultivar grown when there is limited space. It is also referred to as Bush or Vineless. The skin is copper-colored with a light, reddish flesh. It is an excellent baking potato with a delicious, old fashion taste. Juvenile potatoes mature in 100 days while full bakers mature in 110 days.
#7. Georgia Jet
Georgia Jet is ideal for northern gardens because it has the fastest growth and extra-high yields of all sweet potatoes. This cultivar’s testing in northern states such as New York and New England resulted in yields that were two and half times that of the standard varieties. The skin is very red, almost looking purple and the flesh is a deep orange with a delicious taste.
#8. Japanese Sweet Potatoes
This sweet potato has a purple and fairly smooth skin. It is generally more round than the Stokes purple variety, which are more elongated. Its flesh is whitish and it turns golden when baked. Japanese Sweet Potatoes have a very sweet taste and it is fairly firm inside.
#9. Garnet Sweet Potato
Garnet Sweet Potato has a reddish or dark orange skin. The flesh is orange and it has a mild taste. Its inside is pretty moist.
#10. Covington Sweet potato
It is a favorite for mashing or roasting, the Covington sweet potato has rose-colored skin and super sweet orange flesh. It can be eaten as a whole with toppings or cut into wedges and baked as a side dish.