Where did sweetpotatoes originate?
Sweetpotatoes are a staple ingredient in global cuisines, but where do sweetpotatoes come from?
Sweetpotatoes have been enjoyed around the world for centuries, but their story began thousands of years ago in the tropical regions of Central and South America, where they were first cultivated over 5000 years ago!
Today, sweetpotatoes are enjoyed globally and are one of the world’s most important root vegetables. Their naturally sweet flavour, vibrant flesh and adaptability in both sweet and savoury dishes have helped them remain a popular crop for generations. However, their journey from an ancient food source in the Americas to a globally recognised ingredient is a fascinating story of exploration, trade and agricultural innovation.
Where did Sweetpotatoes Originally Come from?
Sweetpotatoes originate in Central and South America, with archaeological finds in the Chilca Canyon in south-central Peru suggesting the presence of the sweetpotato as early as 8080BC! Evidence indicates that the crop was later domesticated and cultivated by communities throughout the region, becoming an important source of food thousands of years before European explorers arrives in the Americas.
Scientists believe the sweetpotato was first domesticated in an area stretching from the Yucatán Peninsula in modern-day Mexico to the Orinoco River in Venezuela, where warm temperatures and fertile soils provided ideal growing conditions.
We also know that the Incan and Myan civilisations grew and cultivated sweetpotatoes as staple vegetables in their diets. Sweetpotatoes were valued for their reliability and long storage life, making them a practical source of nourishment for growing populations. To learn more about storing sweetpotatoes see here.
Unlike many crops, sweetpotatoes could produce high yields even in challenging conditions. This adaptability helped them spread throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, laying the foundations for their eventual journey around the world.
What is a Sweetpotato?
Before exploring the sweetpotato’s journey around the world, it’s important to understand exactly what a sweetpotato is.
The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a root vegetable belonging to the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the white potato (Solanum tuberosum), which belongs to the nightshade family.
Today, sweetpotatoes are valued for their versatility, nutritional content and ability to thrive in a variety of climates, helping make them an important crop across much of the world.
How were Sweetpotatoes first cultivated?
Following their domestication, sweetpotatoes gradually spread throughout Central and South America as communities traded crops, agricultural knowledge and cultivation techniques.
The crop proved highly adaptable and became an important staple food in many regions. By around 2500 BCE, cultivated sweetpotatoes had spread widely across parts of the Americas and were supporting growing populations.
The sweetpotato’s ability to produce large quantities of nutritious food from relatively small areas of land made it an attractive crop for farmers throughout the region.
How did Sweetpotatoes spread across the world?
The arrival of Europeans in the Americas dramatically accelerated the spread of sweetpotatoes around the globe.
Christopher Columbus transported sweetpotatoes back from the Americas and reportedly introduced them to Spain in 1492, marking the introduction of sweetpotatoes to Europe. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, traders brought sweetpotatoes from Europe into Africa and Asia where the crop quickly adapted to local growing conditions.
Sweetpotatoes soon became a staple vegetable in African and Asian diets, becoming an important crop to help combat famine. It’s hardy nature and ability to grow in different conditions contributed significantly to its growing importance in global food security.
Although the most unusual aspect of the spread of sweetpotatoes is evidence of their presence in Polynesia long before the voyages of Christopher Columbus and other explorers.
How did Sweetopotatoes reach Polynesia?
One of the most fascinating chapters in sweetpotato history is its appearance in Polynesia centuries before Europeans reached the Pacific.
Archaeological evidence indicates sweetpotatoes were being grown in parts of Polynesia between approximately 1210 and 1400 CE. This discovery has intrigued historians because, as we know, sweetpotatoes are native to the Americas.
The presence of sweetpotato in Polynesia predates the explorations of the 15th and 26th centuries, raising questions of pre-Columbian contact with the Americas.
Two primary theories exist to explain this phenomenon, the first is direct human contact between Polynesian voyagers and South American populations which resulted in travellers taking sweetpotatoes back with them. The second is a natural dispersal mechanism such as a sweetpotato vine or seed being carried across to Polynesia by the sea. The second theory of natural dispersion was posited after a genetic analysis of sweetpotatos in 2018.
While some debate remains regarding the exact route by which sweetpotatoes crossed the Pacific, their presence in Polynesia before European exploration is widely recognised.
When did Sweetpotatoes arrive in the UK?
Sweetpotatoes are not native to the United Kingdom. They arrived through European trade routes after being introduced to Spain by explorers returning from the Americas.
Interestingly, Henry VIII is said to have enjoyed sweetpotatoes so much that they were included in Catherine of Aragon’s dowry, and it is said that he held a competition challenging English gardeners to grow them successfully in England.
Although sweetpotatoes were once considered something of a novelty food in Britain, consumer demand has grown significantly in recent decades. Today, sweetpotatoes are widely available in supermarkets across the UK and are enjoyed in everything from fries and curries to soups, traybakes and desserts.
Their natural sweetness, versatility and nutritional qualities have helped establish them as a popular alternative to traditional potatoes in many British households. Looking to include sweetpotatoes in your diet, why not try some of our delicious recipes!
Where are Sweetpotatoes Grown Today?
From their origins in Central and South America, sweetpotatoes have become a truly global crop.
The main two growers of sweetpotatoes are Eygpt and North Carolina in the US. The distinctive sand soil and hot moist climate of North Carolina makes it ideal for cultivating and producing all varieties of sweetpotatoes. Since 1971 North Carolina has been the No.1 sweetpotato producing state in the U.S and exports 60% of the sweetpotatoes grown in the US.
Modern plant breeding has also resulted in a wide range of sweetpotato varieties, with different skin and flesh colours suited to different culinary uses and growing conditions. To learn more about the different sweetpotato varieties see here.
Because sweetpotatoes can thrive in diverse environments and require relatively modest inputs compared to some other crops, they continue to be an important crop for both commercial agriculture and small-scale farming.
Why have Sweetpotatoes Remain Popular for Thousands of Years?
Thousands of years after they were first domesticated, sweetpotatoes remain one of the world’s most popular root vegetables.
Their enduring appeal comes from a combination of factors:
- Natural sweetness and flavour
- Versatility in sweet and savoury dishes
- Ability to grow in varied climates
- Long history as a reliable food crop
- Wide range of colours, textures and varieties
From roasted wedges and hearty casseroles to cakes, curries and salads, sweetpotatoes continue to inspire cooks around the world.
Although sweetpotatoes are now enjoyed around the world, their story begins in the tropical landscapes of Central and South America. Cultivated for thousands of years by Indigenous communities, sweetpotatoes became an important food source long before they were introduced to Europe, Africa and Asia.
From ancient farming systems in the Americas to dinner tables across the globe, sweetpotatoes have travelled an extraordinary distance. Their remarkable adaptability, productivity and culinary versatility have helped them endure for more than 5,000 years, securing their place as one of the world’s most important and widely enjoyed root vegetables.
Discover how you can incorporate sweetpotatoes into you weekly meal plan with these delicious recipes from the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did sweetpotatoes originate?
Sweetpotatoes originated in the tropical regions of Central and South America.
Are sweetpotatoes native to north America?
No sweetpotatoes are not native to North America, they were spread to North America from Central and South America
What is the oldest evidence of sweetpotato cultivation
Evidence from Peru suggests sweetpotatoes were present as early as 8080 BC, while direct evidence of cultivation dates back at least 5,000 years
Are sweetpotatoes related to potatoes?
No. Sweetpotatoes belong to the morning glory family, while potatoes belong to the nightshade family.
How did sweetpotatoes spread around the world?
Sweetpotatoes spread to Europe in the 15th Century following the voyages of Christopher Columbus and were consequently spread from Europe to Asia and Africa. Although there is evidence that they spread to Polynesia before these voyages, the exact nature of this migration is unknown.
Which country grows the most sweetpotatoes today?
Egypt and North Carolina produce the majority of the world’s sweetpotatoes today.