Sweet Potato Leaf

What Is Sweet Potato Leaf?

Sweet potato leaf is the young, heart-shaped green leaf found on the above-ground runners of the sweet potato plant (Ipomoea batatas). In many tropical and Asian cuisines, its leaf is as valuable a leafy vegetable as its tuber.

It has a slightly earthy-sweetish taste reminiscent of spinach and chard; it softens when cooked. Young leaves and fresh shoots at the tip are preferred, while the tough-mature stems are discarded.

Nutritional Value of Sweet Potato Leaf

Like dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potato leaf is low in calories with approximately 40 kcal energy per 100 grams; it is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. Values are approximate, based on a similar profile.

How Should Sweet Potato Leaf Be Consumed?

Sweet potato leaf is consumed cooked, not raw; a brief sauté or blanching both softens its texture and makes it easier to digest. It is considered part of a balanced diet.

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

How to Choose Sweet Potato Leaf?

Good sweet potato leaf is young, vivid green, crisp and unblemished. Bunches that are yellowed, wilted, riddled with holes and with too many tough-fibrous stems are not preferred.

• Leaves should be young and vivid green
• Should be crisp and unblemished
• Yellowed and tough-fibrous bunches should not be bought

How to Store Sweet Potato Leaf?

Sweet potato leaf is stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, wrapped in damp paper, for a few days; since it wilts quickly, cooking it fresh is best. Washed leaves left wet darken quickly.

Using Sweet Potato Leaf in the Kitchen

Sweet potato leaf is mostly sautéed with garlic; it is also used in soups, vegetable mixes and wok dishes. The tough stems are removed and the leaves and young shoots are briefly cooked; it is treated like spinach and chard.

How Is Sweet Potato Leaf Sautéed?

The washed leaves are separated from their tough stems and briefly sautéed in hot oil with garlic until soft; overcooking spoils its color and texture. It is served with a little salt and lemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sweet potato leaf edible?

Yes; its young leaves and shoots are a valuable leafy vegetable eaten cooked in many cuisines. It is consumed cooked, not raw.

Does sweet potato leaf resemble spinach?

Yes; its taste and use resemble spinach and chard, and it is similarly sautéed and used in dishes.

Which sweet potato do the leaves come from?

They come from the shoots of the same plant (the sweet potato); that is, the tuber and the leaf come from the same plant, and both are edible.