Sweet Potato Popular Books

Sweet Potato Biography & Facts

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are used as a root vegetable. The young shoots and leaves are sometimes eaten as greens. Cultivars of the sweet potato have been bred to bear tubers with flesh and skin of various colors. Sweet potato is only distantly related to the common potato (Solanum tuberosum), both being in the order Solanales. Although darker sweet potatoes are often referred to as "yams" in parts of North America, the species is not a true yam, which are monocots in the order Dioscoreales.The sweet potato is native to the tropical regions of South America in what is present-day Ecuador. Of the approximately 50 genera and more than 1,000 species of Convolvulaceae, I. batatas is the only crop plant of major importance—some others are used locally (e.g., I. aquatica "kangkong"), but many are poisonous. The genus Ipomoea that contains the sweet potato also includes several garden flowers called morning glories, though that term is not usually extended to I. batatas. Some cultivars of I. batatas are grown as ornamental plants under the name tuberous morning glory, and used in a horticultural context. Sweet potatoes can also be called yams. When soft varieties were first grown commercially, there was a need to differentiate between the two. African slaves had already been calling the 'soft' sweet potatoes 'yams' because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, 'soft' sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from the 'firm' varieties. Description The plant is a herbaceous perennial vine, bearing alternate triangle-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and medium-sized sympetalous flowers. The stems are usually crawling on the ground and form adventitious roots at the nodes. The leaves are screwed along the stems. The leaf stalk is 13 to 51 centimetres (5 to 20 inches) long. The leaf blades are very variable, 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 in) long, the shape is heart-, kidney- to egg-shaped, rounded or triangular and spear-shaped, the edge can be entire, toothed or often three to seven times lobed, cut or divided. Most of the leaf surfaces are bare, rarely hairy, and the tip is rounded to pointed. The leaves are mostly green in color, but due to the accumulation of anthocyanins, especially along the leaf veins, they can be purple in color. Depending on the variety, the total length of a stem can be between 0.5 and 4 metres (1+1⁄2 and 13 feet). Some cultivars also form shoots up to 16 m (52 ft) in length. However, these do not form underground storage organs.The hermaphrodite, five-fold and short-stalked flowers are single or few in stalked, zymous inflorescences that arise from the leaf axils and stand upright. It produces flowers when the day is short. The small sepals are elongated and tapering to a point and spiky and (rarely only 7) 10 to 15 millimetres (3⁄8 to 5⁄8 in) long, usually finely haired or ciliate. The inner three are a little longer. The 4 to 7 cm (1+1⁄2 to 2+3⁄4 in) long, overgrown and funnel-shaped, folded crown, with a shorter hem, can be lavender to purple-lavender in color, the throat is usually darker in color, but white crowns can also appear. The enclosed stamens are of unequal length with glandular filaments. The two-chamber ovary is upper constant with a relatively short stylus. Seeds are only produced from cross-pollination.The flowers open before sunrise and stay open for a few hours. They close again in the morning and begin to wither. The edible tuberous root is long and tapered, with a smooth skin whose color ranges between yellow, orange, red, brown, purple, and beige. Its flesh ranges from beige through white, red, pink, violet, yellow, orange, and purple. Sweet potato cultivars with white or pale yellow flesh are less sweet and moist than those with red, pink or orange flesh. Taxonomy The origin of the sweet potato occurred in South America in what is present-day Ecuador. The domestication of sweet potato occurred in either Central or South America. In Central America, domesticated sweet potatoes were present at least 5,000 years ago, with the origin of I. batatas possibly between the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and the mouth of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. The cultigen was most likely spread by local people to the Caribbean and South America by 2500 BCE.I. trifida, a diploid, is the closest wild relative of the sweet potato, which originated with an initial cross between a tetraploid and another diploid parent, followed by a second complete genome duplication event. The oldest radiocarbon dating remains of the sweet potato known today were discovered in caves from the Chilca Canyon, in the south-central zone of Peru, and yield an age of 8080 ± 170 BC. Transgenicity The genome of cultivated sweet potatoes contains sequences of DNA from Agrobacterium (sensu lato; specifically, one related to Rhizobium rhizogenes), with genes actively expressed by the plants. The T-DNA transgenes were not observed in closely related wild relatives of the sweet potato. Studies indicated that the sweet potato genome evolved over millennia, with eventual domestication of the crop taking advantage of natural genetic modifications. These observations make sweet potatoes the first known example of a naturally transgenic food crop.: 141  Cultivation Dispersal history Before the arrival of Europeans to the Americas, sweet potato was grown in Polynesia, generally spread by vine cuttings rather than by seeds. Sweet potato has been radiocarbon-dated in the Cook Islands to 1210–1400 CE. A common hypothesis is that a vine cutting was brought to central Polynesia by Polynesians who had traveled to South America and back, and spread from there across Polynesia to Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand. Genetic similarities have been found between Polynesian peoples and indigenous Americans including the Zenú, a people inhabiting the Pacific coast of present-day Colombia, indicating that Polynesians could have visited South America and taken sweet potatoes prior to European contact. Dutch linguists and specialists in Amerindian languages Willem Adelaar and Pieter Muysken have suggested that the word for sweet potato is shared by Polynesian languages and languages of South America: Proto-Polynesian *kumala (compare Rapa Nui kumara, Hawaiian ʻuala, Māori kūmara) may be connected with Quechua and Aymara k'umar ~ k'umara. Adelaar and Muysken assert that the similarity in the word for sweet potato is proof of either incidental contact or sporadic contact between the Central Andes and Polynesia.Some researchers, citing divergence time estimates, suggest that sweet potatoes might have been present in Polynesia thousands of years before humans arrived there. However, the present scholarly consensus favours the pre-Columbian contact model.The sweet potato arrived in Europe with the Columbian exchange. It is recorded, f.... Discover the Sweet Potato popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Sweet Potato books.

Best Seller Sweet Potato Books of 2024

  • The Sweet Potato Diet synopsis, comments

    The Sweet Potato Diet

    Michael Morelli

    Unlock Nature's Way of Getting and Staying Lean for Life When you hear the words "carbcycling" you may think: That's for the serious athletes and bodybuilders, there's no way I cou...

  • The Everything Pre-Diabetes Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Everything Pre-Diabetes Cookbook

    Gretchen Scalpi

    The delicious way to reverse your diabetes risk!A diagnosis of prediabetes doesn't mean that diabetes is inevitable. Changing your diet and activity level can help you avoid type 2...

  • The Big Book of Juicing synopsis, comments

    The Big Book of Juicing

    Skyhorse Publishing Inc.

    A comprehensive guide for all your juicing needs.Fruit and vegetable juices, green smoothies, and probiotic drinks have taken America by storm. And it’s no wonderthese living, nutr...

  • Between Harlem and Heaven synopsis, comments

    Between Harlem and Heaven

    Alexander Smalls, J.J. Johnson & Veronica Chambers

    Winner of the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook“Between Harlem and Heaven presents a captivatingly original cuisine. AfroAsianAmerican cooking is packed with unique and ...

  • Sweet Potato synopsis, comments

    Sweet Potato

    Tongin Kim

    Kim Tongin (19001951) is one of Korea's earliest and most respected modern writers whose naturalist fiction brilliantly depicts Korean life during a period of profound social c...

  • An African American Cookbook synopsis, comments

    An African American Cookbook

    Phoebe Bailey

    400 Soul Food Recipes for Appetizers, Main Meals, Breads, Pies, Cakes, Salads, and More!An African American Cookbook: Exploring Black History and Culture Through Traditional Foods&...

  • Sweet Potato Soul synopsis, comments

    Sweet Potato Soul

    Jenne Claiborne

    100 vegan recipes that riff on Southern cooking in surprising and delicious ways, beautifully illustrated with fullcolor photography. Jenné Claiborne grew up in Atlanta eating...

  • Screen Doors and Sweet Tea synopsis, comments

    Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

    Martha Hall Foose

    Gifted chef and storyteller Martha Hall Foose invites you into her kitchen to share recipes that bring alive the landscape, people, and traditions that make Southern cuisine an Ame...

  • Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries synopsis, comments

    Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries

    Diane Kelly

    SHE HAS AN APPETITE FOR JUSTICE. But this time IRS Special Agent Tara Holloway is in over her headand challenging every dietary law in the book. . . When the IRS is tasked with ass...

  • Desserts LaBelle synopsis, comments

    Desserts LaBelle

    Patti LaBelle

    Superstar singer, bestselling cookbook author, and cooking show host Patti LaBelle shares her favorite dessert recipes and kitchen memories. Her New York Times bestseller LaBelle ...

  • The Southern Baking Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Southern Baking Cookbook

    Jenn Davis

    Rustic Treats That Taste Like HomeNorth Carolina native and awardwinning Two Cups Flour blogger Jenn Davis knows the key to Southern bakingthink fresh fruit, real sugar and fullfat...

  • Be Good to Your Gut synopsis, comments

    Be Good to Your Gut

    Eve Kalinik

    'Each page oozes wisdom and insight, mirrored with realistic tips and advice on nurturing your digestive health' Get the Gloss'The most relevant and provocative nutritionist I've e...

  • Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook synopsis, comments

    Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook

    Ella Mills Woodward

    THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE FOODIE IN YOUR LIFE!The Sunday Times number one bestselling cookbook and the fastest selling vegan cookbook of all time.'She has become the biggest thing i...

  • 100 Things You Can Do to Stay Fit and Healthy synopsis, comments

    100 Things You Can Do to Stay Fit and Healthy

    Scott Douglas & Phil Wharton

    Looking to revamp and revitalize your fitness and overall wellbeing, but not sure where to start? Well look no further than running guru and health expert Scott Douglas’s 100 Thing...

  • Authentic Polish Cooking synopsis, comments

    Authentic Polish Cooking

    Marianna Dworak

    Readers say it best: "A great assortment of recipes from my Polish heritage and new ones to try" & "Recipes easy to follow, ingredients readily available" Polish cuisine is hea...

  • Vegan, at Times synopsis, comments

    Vegan, at Times

    Jessica Seinfeld

    INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERAn allnew collection of more than 120 recipes that are so delicious and easy to make, you might forget they’re vegan, from the #1 New York Times be...

  • How to Feed a Family synopsis, comments

    How to Feed a Family

    Laura Keogh & Ceri Marsh

    BreakfastBrunchThe Lunch BoxSnack AttackDinnersDessertsWhat could be more important to parents than a healthy, wellfed family? As two urban, working moms, Ceri Marsh and Laura Keog...

  • The 50 Best Casserole Recipes synopsis, comments

    The 50 Best Casserole Recipes

    Adams Media

    They’re tasty. They’re easy to make. And they’re right at your fingertips. The 50 Best Casserole Recipes is an appetizing selection of delicious dishes that each provide a new, fla...

  • God Save the Sweet Potato Queens synopsis, comments

    God Save the Sweet Potato Queens

    Jill Conner Browne

    Hallelujah! The Sweet Potato Queens are back!In 1999, Jill Conner Browne, royal boss of Jackson, Mississippi's own glorious Sweet Potato Queens, introduced them to the world in the...

  • Masala synopsis, comments

    Masala

    Anita Jaisinghani

    JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEE Go inside the mind of a chef to learn the fundamentals of Indian cuisine and decode the secrets to cooking with spices in this beautiful collection of ov...

  • Sweet Potato synopsis, comments

    Sweet Potato

    Tongin Kim

    Kim Tongin (19001951) is one of Korea's earliest and most respected modern writers whose naturalist fiction brilliantly depicts Korean life during a period of profound social c...

  • Cooking Like a Master Chef synopsis, comments

    Cooking Like a Master Chef

    Graham Elliot

    In the first cookbook from Graham Elliot, cohost of the popular Fox series MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, 100 deliciously creative recipes show home cooks the basics of cooking ...

  • Between Harlem and Heaven synopsis, comments

    Between Harlem and Heaven

    Alexander Smalls, J.J. Johnson & Veronica Chambers

    Winner of the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook“Between Harlem and Heaven presents a captivatingly original cuisine. AfroAsianAmerican cooking is packed with unique and ...

  • The Healthy 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Healthy 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Cookbook

    Bonnie Matthews & Dawn Hall

    Make the most of your air fryer, with quick, nutritious meals and snacks made: French Toast, Teriyaki Chicken, Pita Chips, Vegan Taquitos, Chocolate Cake, and much more.This exciti...

  • PLANTLAB synopsis, comments

    PLANTLAB

    Matthew Kenney

    In PLANTLAB, worldrenowned vegan chef Matthew Kenney serves up a truly unique and visually stunning cookbook emphasizing the art of plantbased cuisine.From Matthew Kenney, lon...

  • The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast synopsis, comments

    The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast

    Kristen Feola

    With 21 devotionals and 100+ recipes, this book is your ultimate plan of action and toolbox as you commit to the Daniel Fast. You'll not only embrace healthier eating habits, you'l...

  • The 50 Best Superfoods Recipes synopsis, comments

    The 50 Best Superfoods Recipes

    Adams Media

    They’re fast. They’re flavorful. And they’re right at your fingertips. The 50 Best Superfood Recipes is an appetizing selection of delicious dishes that serve up the healthy benefi...

  • Texas Eats synopsis, comments

    Texas Eats

    Robb Walsh

    Who says cooking is for homebodies? Veteran Texas food writer Robb Walsh served as a judge at a chuck wagon cookoff, worked as a deckhand on a shrimp boat, and went mayhawpicking i...

  • A Southerly Course synopsis, comments

    A Southerly Course

    Martha Hall Foose

    In the highly anticipated followup to her bestselling Screen Doors & Sweet Tea, Martha Hall Foose shares recipes and stories that are even closer to her hom...

  • The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook

    Robyn Griggs Lawrence, Povy Kendal Atchison & Jane West

    An Upscale Cookbook for Enthusiasts of All Skill Levels That Approaches Cannabis as an Ingredient to ExploreCannabis is one of the hottest ingredients to hit the culinary world, an...

  • The Sweet Potato Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Sweet Potato Cookbook

    Heather Thomas

    Loved all over in the form of sweet potato fries, roasted whole with yummy toppings, and even baked in brownies, this cheap, nutritious and accessible root veg adds a nutty sweetne...

  • The Organic Heart synopsis, comments

    The Organic Heart

    Breeana Pooler

    At the age of 26, Breeana’s husband, Jason, was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with severe heart failure. Following his diagnosis, she set out to regain his healthwhich she su...

  • The Everything Vegan Meal Prep Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Everything Vegan Meal Prep Cookbook

    Marly McMillen Beelman

    Enjoy the numerous benefits of meal prepping especially for the vegan diet with this helpful guide!The hardest part of starting any new diet is committing to itthe vegan diet is no...

  • The Savor the South Cookbooks, 10 Volume Omnibus E-book synopsis, comments

    The Savor the South Cookbooks, 10 Volume Omnibus E-book

    The University of North Carolina Press

    Each little cookbook in our SAVOR THE SOUTH® collection is a big celebration of a beloved food or tradition of the American South. From buttermilk to bourbon, pecans to peaches, on...

  • Watermelon and Red Birds synopsis, comments

    Watermelon and Red Birds

    Nicole A. Taylor

    The very first cookbook to celebrate Juneteenth, from food writer and cookbook author Nicole A. Taylorwho draws on her decade of experiences observing the holiday.On June 19, 1865,...

  • LaBelle Cuisine synopsis, comments

    LaBelle Cuisine

    Patti LaBelle

    Patti LaBelle, living legend, beloved musical icon, “Godmother of Soul” (The New York Times), and New York Times bestselling cookbook author, crafts a new collection of her favorit...

  • The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook synopsis, comments

    The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook

    Brian Noyes

    95+ recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert from the awardwinning Red Truck Bakery near Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, bringing the comfort and charm of the farmhouse wher...