Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also extremely nutritious. They are known to improve digestion, lower blood sugar levels, prevent cancer, protect the skin, enhance vision, improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
While sweet potatoes are readily available in markets and supermarkets, not all of them are of the same quality. To ensure you pick the best ones, here are four tips to keep in mind:
1. Observe the Appearance of the Sweet Potato
High-quality sweet potatoes will have a yellow-brown or dark brown skin. When you peel away the fine hairs on the surface, you’ll notice reddish-purple spots, which indicate that it is the ‘ta’ variety, known for its superior taste.
When choosing a sweet potato, look at the end where it was attached to the vine. It should look fresh and moist, indicating that it is recently harvested.
If the cut end looks dry, check if there is moist soil on the surface. Freshly dug sweet potatoes will have wet mud on them, indicating their freshness. Dry soil or a complete lack of soil indicates that they have been stored for a long time and may not be as fresh.
Additionally, the presence of fine hairs on the skin suggests that the sweet potato hasn’t been stored for too long and is relatively fresh.
2. Examine the ‘Eyes’ of the Sweet Potato
The ‘eyes’ of a sweet potato are small indentations on its surface. The more eyes a sweet potato has, the better its quality. These eyes indicate that the sweet potato will be softer, more tender, and have a unique, delicious flavor.
3. Look for Spots and Stripes
When you buy sweet potatoes from markets or supermarkets, they are often cut into pieces, especially the larger ones. On the cut surface, you should see reddish-purple stripes and spots. The more abundant and darker these spots and stripes are, the better the quality of the sweet potato.
On the other hand, if the spots and stripes are scarce and pale, the sweet potato is likely to be less tasty. Avoid buying such sweet potatoes.
Furthermore, when you cut the sweet potato slightly with a knife, a small amount of whitish mucus will appear at the cut. If this mucus is very thick and white, and it quickly dries to a white powder, it indicates that the sweet potato has enough starch and is of good quality.
4. Check the Weight of the Sweet Potato
When buying sweet potatoes, pay attention to their weight. For sweet potatoes of similar sizes, choose the one that feels lighter. Lighter sweet potatoes tend to have less water content and a higher starch content, making them tastier, softer, and fluffier. Heavier sweet potatoes have more water and are more likely to be starchy and less flavorful.
By following these four simple tips, you’ll be able to select the best sweet potatoes and ensure a delicious and nutritious meal.