About Yams
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. Does this Spark an idea?
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Geography
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Yams grow best in warm, sunny locations, including areas of Asia, South and Central America and West Africa.
Crops
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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.
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Types
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There are nearly 200 types of yams, including Korean yams, Hawaiian yams and sweet yams.
Preparation
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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
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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
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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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