Which is Actually a Purple Potato? Ube vs Taro vs Beni Imo (2024)

FAQs

Which is Actually a Purple Potato? Ube vs Taro vs Beni Imo? ›

Beni imo, otherwise known as purple sweet potato, is the only one of the three that is actually a sweet potato. It is often confused for ube because of its flesh is a similar color. However, beni imo are light-skinned on the outside while ube are dark-skinned.

Ube is often mistaken for a purple sweet potato because of its violet flesh, but the two are not the same. The difference between ube and purple sweet potato is that ube is a yam instead of a sweet potato.

The main differences between taro and ube are their origin, the shape and color of their roots, and their flavor and traditional uses. Taro is native to Southeast Asia and has white or light purple roots, while ube (also known as purple yam) is native to the Philippines and has purple roots.

Purple yams and taro root look similar, hence the confusion between the two. Nonetheless, when stripped of their skins, they are different colors. Taro is grown from the tropical taro plant and is not one of the nearly 600 types of yams. taro plant, and unlike purple yams, they are not a species of yam.

But don't confuse beni-imo, which is a sweet potato, with taro (sato-imo), which is a tuber. Both are found in Okinawa and they may look similar, but taro is much whiter than beni imo, does not have the same texture, and, above all, taste different. Beni-imo is extremely sweet, making great desserts.

Beni imo, otherwise known as purple sweet potato, is the only one of the three that is actually a sweet potato. It is often confused for ube because of its flesh is a similar color. However, beni imo are light-skinned on the outside while ube are dark-skinned.

Some common varieties include Purple Peruvian, Purple Majesty, All Blue, Congo, Adirondack Blue, Purple Fiesta, and Vitelotte. They have a denser texture and slightly nuttier, earthier flavor than white potatoes.

Its purple flesh is creamy and sweet, with hints of honey. The Beni Imo is not related to regular potatoes, which are members of the nightshade family, but rather is a member of the Morning Glory or yam family, similar to some other vegetables we think of as sweet potatoes.

Taro Tea comes from the Taro root, which is a starchy root vegetable with a mildly sweet taste from the lush rainforests of Southeast Asia. It has a brown outer skin and white flesh with purple specks throughout, but this isn't where the purple in a Taro Tea comes from.

Native to Southeast Asia, ube is a purple yam whose glimmering purple center, mild, sweet flavor, and coconut-like aroma have made it a popular ingredient in traditional Filipino sweets.

What is the purple potato called? ›

Purple potatoes are also referenced as Blue potatoes in select markets. Some popular Purple potato varieties include Purple Peruvian, Purple Majesty, All Blue, Blue Swede, Adirondack Blue, Blue Anneliese, Purple Fiesta, Vitelotte, Magic Molly, Blue Elise, Purple Pelisse, Purple Viking, Congo, and St. Galler.

What are Murasaki Sweet Potatoes? Murasaki sweet potatoes are a delightful variety that originated in Japan. Generally, they are prized for their vibrant purple flesh, which adds color to any dish.

A one-cup serving has a third of your daily recommended intake of manganese, which contributes to good metabolism, bone health, and blood clotting. Its high levels of vitamins can also promote healthy vision, skin, circulation, and immune system function. Taro root has more than twice as much fiber as potatoes.

The variety of potatoes Okinawa produces, it is best known for its “beni-imo” (purple sweet potato).

Current Facts. Anno imo potatoes, botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas, are a variety of Japanese sweet potato and are members of the Convolvulaceae, or morning glory family.

Nutritional Value

Ube, on the other hand, is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It's also a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. However, ube is higher in calories and carbohydrates compared to taro, making it a less ideal choice for those on a low-carb or low-calorie diet.

Ube is Tagalog – the national language of the Philippines – for the purple yam native to Southeast Asia that has since been naturalized in South America, Africa, Australia, and the southeastern United States. It is also known as the “winged” or “water” yam in English.

Ube is a major vegetable crop in the Philippines. The word ube (pronounced "ooo-bay") comes from the yam's name in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. (In the Philippines, it is also called ubi; when sold in seed catalogs in the United States for growing at home it is sometimes called "winged yam").

Purple Yams. Sweet potatoes are grown underground while yams grow on a vine above the ground, though yams do look like a tuber. The two are commonly confused and mislabeled at the market, so most people in the U.S. have never eaten an actual yam (native to Africa). There are purple varieties of both vegetables.