The Secret of Sweet Potatoes and Sweet Potato Leaves
Today we're going to reveal a secret about sweet potatoes and their leaves. We have both sweet potatoes and sweet potato leaves here. The important thing to know is that sweet potato leaves aren't just from any sweet potato plant, and vice-versa.
Different Varieties for Different Purposes
The reason is that sweet potato varieties that produce delicious sweet potatoes don't usually have good-tasting leaves. Conversely, varieties with delicious leaves often don't produce any sweet potatoes, or the sweet potatoes they do produce are of poor quality. So, the sweet potato leaves you buy at the market may not be very palatable if the plant was grown primarily for its roots.
Identifying the Plant
That plant over there is sweet potato leaves. That is not a sweet potato flower; that's a weed. We need to cut it off. Sweet potatoes are actually related to morning glories. So, if a sweet potato plant flowers, it will look similar to a morning glory.
Can You Eat All Sweet Potato Leaves?
Are all these sweet potato leaves edible? Yes, but some just don't taste very good. We'll try some to show you just how unpalatable they can be. When growing sweet potatoes, you have to prune the leaves regularly anyway, otherwise, the leaves will steal nutrients from the sweet potatoes. When we prune, we usually cut off the new buds or any parts that are growing outwards.
Tips for Preparing Sweet Potato Leaves
What are some tips for preparing sweet potato leaves? Choose the tender leaves. If you can eat the heart, the more tender the better. Or, these bones are good and nutritious. Is this enough to stir-fry a dish? Yes. This variety is number 66, so we eat the leaves, no this one is for eating the sweet potato. We'll try to see if it's really that hard to eat.
Tasting the Difference
When eating sweet potato varieties grown for their roots, the stems will be harder and less palatable. Most people wouldn't eat them. When growing sweet potatoes, the variety you choose will depend on whether you want to harvest the sweet potatoes or eat the leaves. We won't eat the older leaves at the top because they aren't as good. Usually, when eating sweet potato leaves, you only pick the first few leaves. The ones further down are generally not as tasty. This heart is good enough. This is a chestnut sweet potato, which is also grown for the sweet potato.
The Taste Test
There are four people here, so we can have a taste test. Everyone has to try it; no one can escape. This is Hei Hu, but not for him. Even if vegetables have a meaty flavor, dogs won't eat them, only meat. Is it good? How is it? Let's eat this. Now we'll start eating. First, we'll eat this first plate. It feels okay. This should be sweet potato leaves. The second plate, not delicious, harder, and a little bitter.
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The first plate: Feels okay.
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The second plate: Not delicious, harder, and a little bitter.
It's a little bitter, but it doesn't reach the point where you can't eat it. Actually, I think if stocks keep falling, these two could also be eaten. But if stocks haven't fallen, we'll just eat the good ones. So this should be, this should be sweet potato leaves, right? The first plate? We are all sweet potato leaves? This is a specialty. The best leaves come from varieties specifically grown for their leaves, but the ones from the sweet potato varieties are still edible. We only ate the new shoots, which were just less tasty, but still edible.
Conclusion
Everyone, today's taste test has come to an end. Thank you all. If you need sweet potato leaves, I don't sell them, so don't ask me. If sweet potato leaves were sent, they would rot. They will become leaf dry. Later, when the sweet potatoes come out, I will sell them to everyone.
Planting the Stems
We'll see you next time. The stems, it is said, can be planted again. We'll try it. We'll just bury it randomly. Usually, when grafting, you should leave some leaves. But these have no leaves. Water after grafting.