Beginner's Query: Do Purple Sweet Potatoes Taste the Same
We always encounter Purple sweet potatoes in the kitchen, but we are always confused about the taste. If we know whether it is the same as ordinary potatoes, we can better use it when cooking. Let's take a look at the answer.
Do Purple sweet potatoes taste like potatoes?
The taste of Purple sweet potatoes is basically the same as that of ordinary potatoes, both having a faint, unique sweet taste of potatoes. After being cooked, the texture is also very similar, soft and delicate, and easy to eat.
The cooking methods are exactly the same as those for ordinary potatoes. They can be used for stir-frying, boiling, baking, or making salads. It is recommended to use the simplest steaming and boiling method when trying for the first time, so that it is easier to taste its original flavor.
How does the texture of Purple sweet potatoes differ from sweet potatoes?
The texture of Purple sweet potatoes is denser and softer than that of sweet potatoes. In terms of taste, it is quite close to ordinary potatoes and does not have the stickiness of sweet potatoes.
The difference can be seen after steaming them. Purple sweet potatoes can be easily pierced with chopsticks. Inside, they are uniformly purple and the texture is dry. Sweet potatoes are different. They will be a bit sticky. If it is a sweet potato with high sweetness, it has more water and a moister taste.
When cooking, Purple sweet potatoes are more likely to absorb flavors and can absorb seasonings properly. As for sweet potatoes, their sweetness is quite obvious. Usually, no additional seasoning is needed. However, when some more complex cooking methods are used, they are not as convenient as Purple sweet potatoes. Their flexibility is not as good as that of Purple sweet potatoes.
Can Purple sweet potatoes be used to make fries?
Yes. There is no problem in making French fries with Purple sweet potatoes. The finished product has a unique purple color, which is beautiful and nutritious.
When making them, it is best to cut the fries a bit thicker so that it is easier to achieve a crispy outside and soft inside texture.
Control the frying temperature between 170 and 180 degrees Celsius. In this way, Purple sweet potatoes can be fully cooked and the nutrition will not be destroyed.
If you want the fries to be more crispy, you can soak the cut fries in clear water for 10 minutes first. After draining the water, coat them with a little starch. In this way, the fried Purple sweet potato fries will have an even crispier outer skin while still maintaining the dense texture unique to Purple sweet potatoes inside.
Are Purple sweet potatoes better suited for baking?
Purple sweet potato is indeed more suitable for baking.
When baking, Purple sweet potatoes are more likely to produce good results than ordinary potatoes. Mainly because it has less moisture and finer starch, and the baked taste is particularly soft and dense.
When baking Purple sweet potatoes, there is no need to worry about the problem of the outside being burnt while the inside is still raw. Moreover, the purple nutrients it contains will not be destroyed during baking, making it healthy and beautiful to eat.
The temperature and time are also easy to grasp. Baking at 180 degrees for about 20 minutes is fine. There is no need to adjust back and forth. Basically, it can bake a crispy outer skin and a soft and glutinous inside effect.
Do Purple sweet potatoes turn white when cooked?
After Purple sweet potatoes are cooked, the color will fade but will not turn completely white.
When making Purple sweet potatoes at home, steaming is the best method. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice during steaming will help maintain the purple color better. It is best not to peel them. This way, not only will the nutrition not be lost, but the color will also be more beautiful.
When using boiling, hot water will dissolve part of the color of Purple sweet potatoes, and finally it will turn bluish purple. However, this does not affect the taste and nutrition at all. It just doesn't look as good.
Why do Purple sweet potatoes have a nutty flavor?
The nutty fragrance of Purple sweet potatoes is indeed very special.
Every time Purple sweet potatoes are baked, a light nutty fragrance will waft through the kitchen. This fragrance comes from the chemical reaction produced by the interaction of starch and protein in potatoes during heating.
Baking slowly over low heat will make the fragrance more intense. After about 45 minutes, when the skin is slightly crispy, it is the most fragrant. Sometimes, just simply sprinkling a little salt can allow you to taste the unique nutty flavor of Purple sweet potatoes.
This kind of fragrance is relatively rare in other potato varieties and can be considered a characteristic of Purple sweet potatoes.
