Yams are starchy tuber vegetables that grow on tropical vines. They are long and cylinder-shaped with a rough outer skin and firm, textured flesh. Yams are generally sold fresh but must be cooked to remove toxins before consumption.
Geography
Yams grow best in warm, sunny locations, including areas of Asia, South and Central America and West Africa.
Crops
Yams are tubers, or bulbs, that grow on tropical vines. They are often cultivated along with root vegetables like garlic, carrots or onions, so many farmers categorize the group as root and tuber crops.
Types
There are nearly 200 types of yams, including Korean yams, Hawaiian yams and sweet yams.
Preparation
The hard outer peel of a yam is taken off before cooking. Because yams contain toxins, such as dioscorine and diosgenin, they must be heated before eating.
Uses
Yams are used for culinary purposes and are typically roasted, boiled, mashed or grilled. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, wild yam extract can be used as an herbal remedy to treat nausea and morning sickness, but there is no conclusive evidence of its effectiveness.
Misconceptions
Yams are often confused with sweet potatoes, and some sweet potatoes are even mistakenly labeled as yams. However, sweet potatoes are orange with a sweeter taste and are much more widespread throughout the world than yams.
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