Sweet potatoes come in many varieties, each with their own unique taste, texture, and sweetness. Choosing the sweetest sweet potato ultimately comes down to personal preference, but some varieties are known for being sweeter than others. In this article, we’ll explore some of the sweetest sweet potato varieties and what makes them so tasty.
What gives sweet potatoes their sweet flavor?
The natural sugars in sweet potatoes are what give them their characteristic sweet, creamy flavor. Specifically, they contain sugars like sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The exact sugar composition can vary slightly between different varieties of sweet potatoes.
During the growing process, the sugars become concentrated in the flesh of the sweet potato. This happens because as the potatoes mature, the starch in the roots converts to simple sugars. Higher levels of sugars like sucrose make some sweet potatoes taste sweeter than others.
Environmental factors like climate, soil quality, and amount of sunshine can impact the sweetness levels as well. Ideal growing conditions allow sweet potatoes to maximize their sugar production and achieve peak sweet flavor.
How are sweet potato varieties different?
There are over 400 varieties of sweet potatoes worldwide! Some are native to South America, while others originated in Asia or Africa. Here are a few things that set them apart:
- Flesh color: Ranges from white to orange to purple.
- Texture: Varies from dry and starchy to creamy and moist.
- Sweetness: Flavor profiles range from mildly sweet to very rich and sugary.
- Size and shape: Long tapered roots vs. plump round roots.
Heirloom varieties also have unique qualities passed down for generations. Understanding these differences can help you select the perfect sweet potato for your tastes.
What are some of the sweetest varieties?
Here are some of the varieties known for being among the sweetest of the sweet potatoes:
Japanese Sweet
This variety is sometimes labeled as the “Asian Sweet” potato. It has a purple skin with whitish flesh. The texture is creamy and smooth. Japanese Sweets have a rich, sweet flavor described as being reminiscent of chestnuts. They contain high sugar content.
Jersey Sweet
The Jersey Sweet potato has moist, bright orange flesh. It has a deeply sweet and creamy taste. They are larger in size compared to other varieties. Jersey Sweets are versatile sweet potatoes great for baking, mashing, or roasting.
Garnet Sweet
The Garnet Sweet comes with reddish-purple skin and intense orange flesh. Its natural sugars shine through in its distinct sweet and earthy flavor. Garnet Sweets are drier than other sweet potatoes but pack plenty of sweetness.
Centennial Sweet
This variety has copper skin and orange insides. It was specially bred to be more disease-resistant. The Centennial Sweet is very sweet with a soft, creamy texture similar to a baked sweet potato. It also maintains its shape well during cooking.
Diane Sweet
The Diane Sweet potato has beige skin and pale flesh. It is prized for its mild and delicately sweet flavor. Diane Sweets are fluffy yet dense, perfect for savory dishes and desserts alike.
How do you know if a sweet potato is sweet?
Choosing the sweetest potatoes can take a bit of detective work. Here are some tips:
- Ask your local grower for sweet potato recommendations based on taste tests.
- Select potatoes that feel heavy for their size with smooth, unblemished skin.
- Avoid any with bitter undertones or earthy, unsweet flavors.
- Check varietal names where available to find reliably sweet types.
- Buy organic whenever possible since higher soil quality improves sweetness.
The proof is ultimately in the eating! Sauteing a small sample is an easy way to taste test sweetness levels before cooking up the entire batch.
What makes some sweet potatoes sweeter than others?
A few key factors determine sweet potato sweetness levels:
- Genetics – Some varieties are genetically prone to producing more sugars than others.
- Growing Conditions – Climate, soil properties, and amount of sunlight affect flavor.
- Maturity – Sweet potatoes grow sweeter as they mature.
- Storage Time – Sugars continue developing after harvest during proper storage.
- Preparation – Cooking techniques like roasting caramelize natural sugars.
Farmers select “supersweet” varieties, time harvests for peak ripeness, and cure potatoes to maximize sweetness. Choosing fully matured, properly stored potatoes of known sweet varieties gives you the best chance of finding the sweetest sweet potatoes.
Conclusion
Although most sweet potato varieties share a naturally sweet flavor when cooked, some types stand out as the sweetest choices. Japanese Sweet, Jersey Sweet, and Garnet Sweet are excellent options known for rich, sugary taste. Checking for characteristics like smooth skin, heavy feel, and varietal labels can help identify the sweetest spuds. With the right variety and techniques, you can savor supreme sweet potato sweetness.