Sweet Potato Leaves

What Are Sweet Potato Leaves?

Sweet potato leaves are the young, heart-shaped green leaves on the above-ground shoots of the sweet potato plant (Ipomoea batatas). In many tropical and Asian cuisines, the leaves are valued as a leafy vegetable just as much as the tuber.

They have a mildly earthy, sweet flavor reminiscent of spinach and Swiss chard, and soften when cooked. Young leaves and fresh shoot tips are preferred; tough, mature stems are removed.

Nutritional Value of Sweet Potato Leaves

Like dark leafy greens, sweet potato leaves are low in calories, with about 40 kcal per 100 g; they are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. Values are approximate and based on a similar profile.

How Should Sweet Potato Leaves Be Eaten?

Sweet potato leaves are eaten cooked, not raw; a quick sauté or boil softens their texture and makes them easier to digest. They can be included as part of a balanced diet.

This is general information; sweet potato leaves are a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Sweet Potato Leaves

Good sweet potato leaves are young, vivid green, crisp, and unblemished. Avoid bunches with yellowed, wilted, or hole-ridden leaves and many tough, fibrous stems.

• Leaves should be young and vivid green.
• They should be crisp and unblemished.
• Avoid yellowed bunches with tough, fibrous stems.

How to Store Sweet Potato Leaves

Store sweet potato leaves in the refrigerator crisper, wrapped in damp paper, for a few days; since they wilt quickly, it is best to cook them fresh. Washed leaves darken quickly if left wet.

Using Sweet Potato Leaves in Cooking

Sweet potato leaves are most often sautéed with garlic; they are also used in soups, vegetable mixes, and wok dishes. Remove tough stems and cook the leaves and young tips briefly; use them like spinach or Swiss chard.

How to Sauté Sweet Potato Leaves

Separate the washed leaves from the tough stems and sauté them briefly in hot oil with garlic until tender; overcooking damages their color and texture. Serve with a little salt and lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat sweet potato leaves?

Yes; young leaves and shoots are a valued leafy vegetable eaten cooked in many cuisines. They are eaten cooked, not raw.

Do sweet potato leaves resemble spinach?

Yes; their flavor and use are reminiscent of spinach and Swiss chard, and they can be sautéed and used in dishes in a similar way.

Which sweet potato do the leaves come from?

They come from the shoots of the same plant, the sweet potato; the tuber and leaves come from one plant, and both are edible.