Garnet Yams
Estimated Inventory, 40 lbs : 20.82
This item was last sold on : 01/19/25
Description/Taste
Garnet yams are medium to large in size and are slender, ovate, and cylindrical in shape, tapering at the ends. The rough skin is a dusty brown-maroon with some brown spots scattered across the surface. The flesh is orange-gold and is firm, dense, and moist. When cooked, Garnet yams are starchy and moister than other yam varieties, and its flavor is sweet with a savory earthiness. In addition to the tubers, the leaves of the Garnet yam plant are edible as well, offering both nutrients and a flavor similar to that of spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Garnet yams are available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.
Current Facts
Garnet yams, botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas, are a root vegetable of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. It is not a true yam, but rather a sweet potato that lost its identity to an American labeling system that forced the naming of yellow-orange fleshed sweet potatoes to include yam in their identification. Today the USDA requires that all yams also be labeled as sweet potatoes when sold. Garnet yams earned their name from the color of their skin, and the opulent maroon skin tone is similar in color to a garnet stone.
Nutritional Value
Garnet yams are an excellent source of dietary fiber and offer a healthy dose of vitamin C, B6, iron, copper, and potassium.
Applications
Garnet yams are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, roasting, frying, steaming, mashing, and pureeing. The high sugar and starch content of Garnet yams makes them suitable for a wide range of both sweet and savory applications. They can be roasted or baked whole and served as is or with complimentary ingredients such as cinnamon, cilantro, red bell pepper, cumin, chili pepper, feta cheese, Greek yogurt, and poultry. Garnet yams can be steamed and then mashed or pureed and used to make sauces, gnocchi, soups, and curries. They can also be used as a filling for both sweet and savory pies and empanadas. Slice into rounds or sticks and bake or fry to make French fries. Add cubed and roasted or sautéed Garnet yam to breakfast hash, curry, risotto, pasta, or atop pizza. Complimentary flavors include sage, thyme, lime, persimmon, onion, chipotle chili, black beans, pecans, honey, maple syrup, parmesan cheese, and bacon. Refrigeration should be avoided when storing Garnet yams as it will cause them to spoil faster. Garnet yams will keep up to four weeks when stored in a cool and dry location away from direct sunlight and heat.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Garnet yam was mislabeled in the mid-20th century when orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were first introduced to the market. The original sweet potato cultivated in the United States was the dry, white-fleshed type. To avoid confusion, the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were marketed as yams to distinguish them from the white-fleshed variety Americans had come to associate with the name sweet potato. Real yams are native to the Caribbean and are difficult to find in the United States. The Garnet variety is one of the most common sweet potatoes cultivated for American markets. Along with the beauregard and jewel yams, these three varieties account for about ninety percent of the sweet potatoes produced in the United States.
Geography/History
What we refer to as yams in the United States are actually sweet potatoes which are native to the western tropical hemisphere. Garnet yams were discovered in the United States roughly in the mid-20th century. Today they can be found in farmers markets and grocers across the United States, but care must be taken because similar varieties are often labeled as Garnet yams and look similar.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Stout Public House | San Diego CA | 619-702-7933 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria | San Diego CA | 619-220-0692 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| GreensPlease | Poway CA | 858-842-1001 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Portside Pier (Miguels) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| Carbon | San Diego CA | 702-423-3807 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Coya Peruvian Secret | Del Mar CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Sushi Ota 2021 | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Bayside Landing | San Diego CA | 858-270-9200 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| Louisiana Purchase | San Diego CA | 619-255-8278 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| The Remy (bar) | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Sabor a Vida Café & Deli | Vista CA | 760-536-3331 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Garnet Yams. One
is easiest, three is harder.
