Guide to Purple Sweet Potato (2024)

Guide to Purple Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are one of the darlings of the vegetable patch – they’re delicious, nutritious and there are so many tasty ways to get it into your diet.

Gaining in popularity is the purple sweet potato variety with its white skin and pretty purple flesh, so we thought we’d give you the low down on what it is, what it tastes like, all the benefits of eating it, and how to cook it.

What is purple sweet potato?

Also known as 'white skin purple flesh sweet potatoes' or just 'purple-fleshed sweet potatoes', the purple sweet potato is prized for its naturally occurring purple flesh. You won’t find it as easily as regular gold sweet potato, instead look out for it at your local green grocer or farmer’s market. Also, don’t confuse purple-fleshed sweet potato with red sweet potato, which has purplish skin but white flesh.

What does purple sweet potato taste like?

The purple-fleshed sweet potato has a slightly sweeter flavour than the regular variety. However you can use it in all the same ways you use regular sweet potatoes – it just adds that extra pop of colour!

What are the benefits of purple sweet potato?

Purple sweet potato boasts all the delicious health benefits of sweet potato including the antioxidant beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and promotes eye health and a strong immune system. It’s also bursting with vitamins.

But wait, there’s more… that eye-catching purple pattern isn’t just pretty, it hints at the presence of anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to reducing dementia and maintaining brain health.

Oh, and don’t forget it’s high in fibre, too.

How much purple sweet potato makes a serve?

According to Australian Sweet Potatoes, one serving of sweet potatoes is 150g. This is about a small to medium-sized sweet potato. One serving provides 100% of an adult’s daily intake of vitamins A and C.

Can I eat the skin of purple sweet potato?

Most definitely. It contains important nutrients including fibre, so don’t bin the skin! Just remember to wash before cooking.

Here are sweet potato recipes where you can swap in purple sweet potato as you like!

Bangers and Mash Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

Bangers and mash meets cottage pie in this Aussie recipe. Sausages cooked in lots of sauce and topped with crispy sweet potato mash, talk about a satisfying dinner!

Chicken Drumsticks with Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges

Enjoy this easy oven baked dinner with healthyspiced sweet potato wedges.

Mexican Filled Sweet Potatoes with Egg