# What the…I thought sweet potatoes were orange…?!?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-i-thought-sweet-potatoes-were-orange/975504>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** food-cooking\
**Created:** [November 24, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-i-thought-sweet-potatoes-were-orange/975504 "2022-11-24T19:30:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-i-thought-sweet-potatoes-were-orange/975504/41 "2022-11-29T04:51:43Z")

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I remember in the 70’s or early 80’s, my cousin started experimenting growing purple sweet potatoes. We were shocked the first time he sent us some.

In Hawaii, we have Okinawan sweet potato, that I just learned aren’t a potato, but from the morning glory family. [https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition](https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition)

They’re firmer and sweeter than Satsuma sweet potato.

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**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-i-thought-sweet-potatoes-were-orange/975504/42 "2022-11-29T13:10:59Z")

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> [@solost](#):
>
> I believe the orange variety means carotene and the purple is probably full of flavonoids and anti-oxidants

I’m almost certain that’s correct.

My favorite way to have sweet potatoes, while we’re swapping (some excellent!) suggestions, was taught to me by my late **Other Shoe** which is to bake them, lower/slower and longer than standard Russet potatoes until the holes poked in start oozing sweet juice, then dress with butter, cheese, and … barbecue sauce.

The sweet tanginess pairs _really_ well with the soft, sweet flesh of the potato.

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