An explanation of the history of sweet potatoes, a vegetable that serves autumn flavors, and how to eat them in a delicious way!

In this article, we will explain about sweet potatoes, a popular autumn delicacy

Sweet potatoes (scientific name: Ipomoea batatas ) are perennial plants of the Ipomoea genus in the Convolvulaceae family. The edible part is the swollen root, commonly known as the "tuber," which stores nutrients. Also known as "kansho," they are popular for their sweet taste, as their name suggests. They originated in the region from Mexico to Guatemala in Central and South America, and spread to Europe and Asia, and are now cultivated worldwide.

In Japan, sweet potatoes were introduced from the Ryukyu Kingdom (present-day Okinawa Prefecture) to Satsuma Province (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture) during the Edo period, and from there spread throughout the country. They were affectionately known as "Satsuma potatoes" throughout Japan, hence the name "satsuma potato."

Nutrition and health benefits of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are known as a highly nutritious vegetable. They are rich in starch, vitamin C, and dietary fiber as their main nutrients. They contain more than five times the amount of vitamin C as apples, and are characterized by their resistance to heat damage. In addition, their high dietary fiber content stimulates intestinal function and is effective in relieving constipation

They are also rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, and manganese, which help prevent high blood pressure and anemia. Purple varieties contain anthocyanins, and orange varieties contain beta-carotene, which are expected to have antioxidant properties

The history of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a long history, and are believed to have been cultivated in Mexico since before 3000 BC. They were then introduced to Peru in South America, and pottery depicting sweet potato leaves and flowers has been discovered in ancient Peruvian ruins

When Christopher Columbus discovered the New World at the end of the 15th century, it was introduced to Europe, and its sweet taste made it popular in Elizabethan England. It is said that it was introduced to Japan from Ryukyu to Satsuma in the early 17th century, and then spread throughout the country as a famine relief crop

Types and characteristics of sweet potatoes

There are many varieties of sweet potatoes, each with its own unique characteristics. Below are some of the most common varieties and their characteristics

• Beniazuma:
  A variety commonly found in eastern Japan, it has a deep reddish-purple skin and a deep yellow interior. It has a fluffy texture and sweet taste, making it ideal for baking sweet potatoes and making sweets.
• Beni Haruka
  is a variety created by crossbreeding Kyushu 121 and Harukogane, and as its name suggests, it is said to be "much" more delicious than other varieties. It has a strong sweetness and is quite juicy, making it delicious when steamed or dried.
• Naruto Kintoki (Naruto Sweet Potatoes)
  is a variety grown in the sandy soil of Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, and is characterized by its soft texture and strong sweetness. It is suitable for tempura, candied sweet potatoes, and as an ingredient in sweets.
• Annouimo (Annou sweet potato)
  is a variety grown in Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture, and is characterized by its extremely sweet and sticky texture. Also known as "honey potato," it is suitable for baked sweet potatoes, dried sweet potatoes, and desserts.

Delicious Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet potatoes are delicious when simply baked or steamed, but they can also be used in a variety of other dishes. Here are some recipes to help you

1. Stir-fried sweet potatoes with butter and soy sauce

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 sweet potato
• Butter: 10g
• Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: a little
• White sesame seeds: appropriate amount

How to make it

1. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly and slice them into thin slices with the skin on
2. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the sweet potatoes and fry over medium heat
3. Once the sweet potatoes are soft, add soy sauce and sugar and continue to stir-fry, then season with salt
4. Sprinkle with white sesame seeds and it's done

summary

Sweet potatoes have long been loved by many people for their rich nutritional value and delicious taste. By learning about the history and characteristics of sweet potatoes, you will be able to not only eat them, but also appreciate their appeal more deeply. Be sure to try cooking with sweet potatoes as a taste of autumn

Introducing our special recipes for epi recipes

Please feel free to use this recipe as a reference

Sweet potatoes

Since the sweet potato skins will be used as containers, we use sweet potatoes that have been baked in the oven. Cooking them slowly increases the sweetness, but it takes time to bake, so if you're in a hurry, you can use steamed sweet potatoes

Chestnut Kinton

Kurikinton is a classic New Year's dish.
The area around the sweet potato skin is quite bitter, so if you have time, remove it.
By smoothing the filling, you can create a glossy golden-brown kurikinton.

Sweet potato grilled butter

The sweetness of the sweet potato and the flavor of the butter go perfectly together in this dish

Sweet potato caramelize Imokenpi style

If the sweet potato starch remains on the surface, it will quickly become colored when it is placed in the oil, so after cutting it, soak it in water to thoroughly remove the starch. By applying olive oil to the batter, it will peel off when the caramel hardens.

Sweet potato risotto

This is an autumn-inspired risotto made with Annou sweet potatoes and mushrooms. You can substitute other mushrooms for the oyster mushrooms. The amount of water used to make risotto can be difficult to determine, but once you get the hang of it, you can use a variety of ingredients, so be sure to master it

Sweet potato gnocchi

The key to forming the gnocchi is to coat them well with flour, as they tend to stick together easily. After boiling the sweet potatoes, thoroughly evaporate the water and dust them with flour to achieve the perfect firmness

Sweet potato zenzai

Straining sweet potatoes will give them a smoother texture, but if you want to enjoy the texture, you don't have to strain them. The amount of granulated sugar you need is roughly 25-50g, and you can adjust it depending on the sweetness of the sweet potato. You can also turn it into a pudding by adding dissolved gelatin

Steamed chicken with sweet potatoes

This lightly flavored dish is made by skewering chicken with sweet potato sticks and steaming it. This time, we've topped it with a fragrant sauce, but you can also combine it with your favorite sauces and seasonings