Is sweet potato a fruit or a vegetable?

Is sweet potato a fruit or a vegetable?

Sweet potato is a kind of vegetable, also called yam. The edible part is the underground stem. In addition to being eaten as a vegetable, it can also be eaten raw as a fruit. Generally, sweet potatoes are divided into early-maturing and late-maturing ones. Early-maturing ones will mature in September in autumn, and late-maturing ones will mature and be on the market in late November.

Nutritional value of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes taste very sweet and have a crispy texture. They can usually be steamed, boiled, or made into soup. They can also be peeled and eaten raw. The most delicious way to cook them is to peel the sweet potatoes and then fry them.

Sweet potatoes are cool crops, so eating them in moderation will have certain effects of clearing away heat, removing dampness and reducing fire. The various dietary fibers and vitamin C contained in sweet potatoes also have certain effects of enhancing physical strength and promoting gastrointestinal motility.

Sweet potato origin and planting

Sweet potatoes are grown in a wide range, and the main producing areas are generally Sichuan, Taiwan and Chongqing. Among them, the sweet potatoes produced in southwest China are the best, with excellent taste and quality.

The best time to plant sweet potatoes is around April and May in spring, and they can also be planted in October and November in autumn. It is usually most appropriate to plant sweet potatoes in deep, well-drained and medium-fertile soil.