What Do Americans Call Actual Yams? The Answer Is Likely Sweet Potatoes
•
3 min read
According to the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute, true yams are a staple vegetable in Africa and Asia, while sweet potatoes are native to the Americas. This botanical fact creates a long-standing confusion in the United States, as the names are often used interchangeably. So, what do Americans call actual yams, and how did this culinary mix-up happen in the first place?