Sweet potato, as a popular health food, is deeply loved by consumers because of its rich nutrition and sweet taste.
With the popularization of the concept of healthy eating, more and more people have begun to pay attention to the purchase choice of sweet potatoes, but in the market, there are many types of sweet potatoes, and consumers are often faced with the choice of "slender" and "thick and round" when choosing. Each sweet potato is different in taste, nutrition, and culinary use, and understanding their characteristics is essential for purchasing and eating. This article will delve into sweet potato selection tips to help you find the right sweet potato for your taste and needs.
First, the basic knowledge of sweet potatoes
Sweet potato (scientific name: Ipomoea batatas), also known as sweet potato, sweet potato, is a highly nutritious root vegetable. Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients, and have certain health care functions. In many countries, sweet potatoes are regarded as an important food crop, not only for household consumption, but also widely used in food processing, feed and other fields.
1.1 Types of sweet potatoes
There are many types of sweet potatoes, which can be mainly divided into the following:
- Orange-fleshed sweet potato: The flesh is orange, rich in β-carotene, and has a sweet and glutinous taste, which is suitable for making desserts.
- White-fleshed sweet potato: white flesh, high starch content, dry taste, suitable for boiling, steaming, roasting and other cooking methods.
- Purple-fleshed sweet potato: The flesh is purple, rich in anthocyanins, has high antioxidant properties, and is relatively healthy.
Depending on the shape, sweet potatoes can be divided into "elongated" and "coarse-round". The two types of sweet potatoes also differ significantly in taste, use, and nutrition.
2. The difference between slender and coarse round sweet potatoes
2.1 Elongated sweet potatoes
Elongated sweet potatoes are generally slender in shape and smooth in appearance. Its features include:
- Taste: The slender sweet potato has a delicate flesh, high water content, and a softer and waxier taste, which is suitable for making desserts, sweet potato puree, etc.
- Nutrition: This sweet potato is relatively low in fiber, making it more suitable for people who need to digest quickly.
- Uses: Due to its high sugar content and delicate texture, slender sweet potatoes are more suitable for dessert making, such as sweet potato cakes and sweet potato cakes, which can increase the sweetness and taste of food.
2.2 Rough round sweet potatoes
Thick round sweet potatoes are more round and fat, and the overall appearance is thicker. Features include:
- Taste: The flesh of the thick round sweet potato is relatively solid, the starch content is high, and the taste is relatively dry, which is suitable for making various staple foods.
- Nutrition: This sweet potato has a high fiber content and is suitable for people who need to increase their dietary fiber intake.
- Uses: Thick round sweet potatoes can be used to cook a variety of dishes, especially for stewing, steaming or roasting, and the resulting dishes are more hearty and filling.
3. How to choose sweet potatoes
3.1 Appearance Observation
When picking sweet potatoes, the first thing to do is to check the appearance of the sweet potatoes. Whether elongated or coarsely round, a good quality sweet potato should have a smooth surface with no visible scars and lesions. If there are brown spots or dents on the surface, it may indicate that the sweet potato has begun to rot and should be avoided.
3.2 Hand Feeling Test
Gently press the sweet potato with your hands to feel its firmness. A good quality sweet potato should be firm and heavy to the touch. If the sweet potato is light and fluffy, or has a soft surface to the touch, it may have started to spoil.
3.3 Look at the color
The color of sweet potatoes can also reflect their freshness. Fresh sweet potatoes should be evenly colored without much color difference. Elongated sweet potatoes are generally golden yellow or pale orange in color, while coarse round sweet potatoes are usually darker purplish red or yellowish brown. If the color is uneven, it may not be ripe.
4. Cooking skills of sweet potatoes
Once you've chosen your sweet potatoes, the cooking method is also crucial. Depending on the different types of sweet potatoes, different cooking methods are used to maximize their taste and nutrition.
4.1 Cooking of slender sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato puree: After steaming, the washed slender sweet potatoes are peeled, mashed into a puree, and seasoned with milk and honey for a sweet and delicious taste.
- Sweet potato cake: Mix the sweet potato puree with an appropriate amount of flour, knead it into a small cake, and fry it until golden brown on both sides, crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, suitable for breakfast or snacks.
- Sweet Potato Cake: Using slender sweet potatoes to make cakes can increase the moistness and sweetness of the cake.
4.2 Cooking of coarse round sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato stew: Thick round sweet potatoes are cut into pieces and stewed with chicken, pork ribs, etc., which can increase the sweetness and nutritional richness of the soup.
- Roasted sweet potatoes: Thick round sweet potatoes are wrapped in tin foil and baked in the oven at low temperatures, which are charred on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a very healthy snack.
- Steamed sweet potato: After simple steaming, add a little salt, which retains the original flavor of sweet potatoes and is a healthy side dish.
5. Preservation skills of sweet potatoes
How to preserve sweet potatoes after purchase is also an important topic. Proper storage methods can extend the shelf life of sweet potatoes and preserve their taste and nutrients.
5.1 Stored at room temperature
For the sweet potatoes you just bought, you can choose to store them at room temperature in a ventilated and cool place, away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate sweet potatoes, as low temperatures can ruin their texture and taste.
5.2 Avoid moisture
Moisture is the enemy of sweet potato storage. When storing sweet potatoes, it is best to pack them in a breathable cloth bag and keep them dry. If the sweet potato is moldy and soft, deal with it in time to avoid affecting the quality of other sweet potatoes.
As a nutritious food, the selection, cooking and preservation of sweet potatoes require careful consideration by consumers. Knowing the difference between slender and coarse sweet potatoes will not only help you choose the one that suits your taste, but will also make your cooking more enjoyable every time. I hope that through the sharing of this article, you can be aware of the idea when buying sweet potatoes, enjoy the delicious and healthy at the same time.
Have you ever faced confusion when buying or cooking sweet potatoes? Or do you have any particular sweet potato selection experience? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section, and let's discuss how to better enjoy this delicious and healthy food!