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Sweet potato
Every knowledge on vegetables, health and nutrition.
Scientific Name
Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae family)Common name
Sweet potato
Varieties and seasons
The tuber of a plant originating from Central America, the sweet potato is not related to the potato, despite its name.
The flowers of the sweet potato form in bells and it is classed with plants sharing this characteristic.
There are more than 500 varieties of sweet potatoes, the flesh of which varies from white, yellow and red to purplish blue, such as the yellow Malaga sweet potato, the large African potato and the red American sweet potato.
Vegetable garden: growing sweet potato
The sweet potato is an ipomea that produces long creeping stems that grow up to 5 m long with leaves that can be eaten like spinach.
In March, the tubers of the sweet potatoes need to be protected from the cold under a frame or indoors.
When the first shoots grow 10 or so centimetres long, you can replant them with their roots outside in a sunny vegetable garden or pot. Space out your cuttings at 30 centimetre intervals to be earthed up at a later date.
The sweet potato needs to be watered very regularly. Sweet potatoes are generally harvested in September when the leaves start to yellow.
Production
The production of sweet potato is largely dominated by China (100Mt), then Nigeria (3,4Mt), Uganda (2,6Mt), Indonesia (1,8Mt).
Consumption
Sweet potatoes are a staple part of the diet of people in Asia and Latin America. It is very popular in the Southern United States.
Nutritional values (per 100 g)
Raw* | RDI ** | |
|---|---|---|
Energy | 101 kcal | |
Proteins | 1.2 g | |
Carbohydrates | 23 g | |
Fat | 0.3 g | |
Fibres | 2.9 | 30 g |
Sodium | 19 mg | |
Potassium | 300 mg | 2,000 mg |
Provitamin A | 4,000 µg | 4,800 µg |
Vitamin C | 25 mg | 80 mg |
Vitamin B9 | 52 µg | 200 µg |
Vitamin E | 4 mg | 12 mg |
* Ciqual 1995 ** Recommended Daily Intake |
Nutritionist’s advice
The sweet potato is an excellent source of provitamin A, which is vital for healthy tissue and night vision.
It is also an excellent source of potassium.
It contains vitamin B9 (or folic acid).
The stronger its colour, the higher its vitamin A content.
Sweet potatoes are richer in starch than potatoes (up to 18% depending on the variety), but it also contains the same quantity of carbohydrates.
What is about portions...?
-a child portion : size of one fist
-an adult portion : size of three fists
Cooking and nutrition: tasty combinations
-Baked sweet potato: the best way to enjoy the smooth flavours of this exceptional vegetable! Wrap the sweet potatoes in tin foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
-Sweet potato paste: an Argentinian speciality that closely resembles a sort of quince preserve, to enjoy again and again. Sweet potato paste is often served with salted cold meats, like a chutney.
