~ Sweet Potato

Yam vs. Sweet potato - While you may see sweet potatoes incorrectly labeled as yams (especially in the south), true yams are actually pretty rare in the United States. Yams are characterized by a lighter flesh and a darker skin with a rough texture. Yams are also starchier than sweet potatoes. There are many varieties of sweet potatoes in available in the U.S., and they come in all different colors.