Is kumara the same as sweet potato?

Are sweet potatoes the same as kumara? This is a question that has baffled many for years. Some say they are similar, while others argue that they are completely different. In this article, we will explore both sides of the argument to find out which one is correct.

What Is A Kumara?

Kumara is a type of sweet potato that originally comes from Polynesia. It was brought to New Zealand by early Maori settlers in around 1000 AD and has been a staple food ever since.

Kumaras generally have red or purple skin and white flesh. They are sweeter than regular potatoes but not as sweet as some other types of sweet potato.

And…What Is A Sweet Potato?

Sweet potatoes originate from Central and South America and were introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century. They come in various colors, including orange, yellow, pink, and white.

In terms of taste, they are much sweeter than regular potatoes but less so than kumaras.

The Similarities

Although there may be slight differences between them such as their origins or color schemes; there remain many similarities between these two vegetables:

  • Both belong to an entirely different family tree.
  • Both Kumaras(Scientific name= Ipomoea Batatas) & Sweet Potatoes (Scientific name=Ipomoea Batatas L.) grow underground.
  • Both serve dietary fiber
  • Along with serving great taste both satisfy hunger quickly!

Of course – Yes! Kumaras differ from Sweet Potatoes:

Flavor Profile

While Kumara’s flavors might vary slightly based on its varieties it remains earthy making it closer enough like our good old Russets whereas we can safely assume all kinds of nutty & creamy flavors along with a mild sweetness in the Sweet Potatoes.

Nutrient Content

Sweet potatoes tend to have slightly more vitamins and minerals than kumara. In particular, sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A and C, while both varieties provide potassium.

Vitamin C Vitamin A Potassium
Kumara 20mg 708 IU \~400 mg
Sweet Potato (Baked) 27mg 1096 IU \~475 mg

one medium size

Size, Skin color & Shape

We might be guessing that all tuberous species look alike because they’re underground but it’s not so. Although different shapes of sweet potato can exist based on cultivars nevertheless the skin textures for these two vary vastly: textured/furrowed skin common to sweet after cooking compared to smooth-skinned kumaras. Also when comparing their sizes considering one variety each; two small-sized Kumara(~100 grams) would equal roughly a medium size(200 gms) Sweet potato or let us say vice versa!

Although you could use them interchangeably some dishes require either or another vegetable which we will look into now:

Which Works Best When Boiled/Steamed/Etc.?

Kumaras hold their shape well during boiling, steaming or oven-roasting due to its waxy texture making it great for salads(mm-mm yum!). However – this also means that mashing requires an extra effort from your biceps since it is firmer!/Try roasting cubed kumara until tender inside yet crispy outside//YUM//

Meanwhile ~~ our very sweeeeet~~potatoes are just perfect candidates for baking any number of desserts! But watch out – over boiling (overcooking) tends to make it mushy!

Dishes You Can Make

Kumaras Sweet Potatoes
● Roasted, in salads, stir fry & gratin. ● Baked desserts such as sweet potato pie or Casserole
● Kumara fries/ chips are a thing trust me!      ● Mashed sweet potatoes/Sweet Potato Hummus(YUM!)
● Soup                ● Soups

Nope! While the two might belong to the same taxonomical family and share similarities; they differ vastly based on their flavors profiles, skin texture & nutritional content.

So – there you have it folks – the difference between kumara and sweet potato once and for all!

PS: We hope you enjoyed our take using humor

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