Introduction: There are many varieties of sweet potatoes, such as those with a yellow, orange, purple or white core. Sweet potatoes with a yellow core are more fragrant, those with an orange core are sweet, those with a purple core are easy to swallow and have more anthocyanin, those with a white core have greater starch content. Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fibre, which facilitates bowel movement and eases constipation. They reduce cholesterol and maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. The skin of sweet potatoes is rich in protein and dietary fibre. The skin can be eaten if rinsed thoroughly.
Note: If you eat sweet potatoes which have not been cooked thoroughly, it would easily lead to hiccups and a swollen belly. Sweet potatoes consumed after they are cooked thoroughly and still hot would be better for digestion.
Purchase: Choose those which are plump and have smooth outer skin. Do not choose those with sprouts, black spots or insect bites.
Cooking methods: Steam, poach, simmer, cook in sweet soup, serve as a dessert.
Home dishes: Steamed sweet potato patty; poached sweet potato; simmered sweet potato;
sweet potato in sweet soup; honeyed sweet potato
