Right along with the macaroni and the potato salad foodie snobs, some people become very particular about what’s on a cookout picnic table and a Thanksgiving table. This crew is definitely going to ask “Who cooked this?” and stare at menu items like they’re murder mystery clues before even humoring the idea of eating them. And when it comes to Thanksgiving, they will up the ante. How do you know? Bring up the sweet potato pie versus pumpkin pie debate, and expect the exclamations to follow. For some, the idea of bringing pumpkin cake instead of yams to Thanksgiving dinner will get you sent right back to the welcome mat. Here’s the scoop on why this is such a holiday staple.

How Yams and Sweet Potatoes Differ

While “yams” and “sweet potatoes” are sometimes used interchangeably, looking at the raw version of both quickly distinguishes them. While both are brown on the outside, yams have an orange center. But even this can be confusing, considering there are more than 400 types of sweet potatoes and some of those have an orange center too. In fact, there are five types of sweet potatoes: orange skin with orange flesh, red skin with orange flesh, (as mentioned) yellow skin with white flesh, purple skin with white flesh, and purple skin with purple flesh. Both grow better in cool, dark areas.

Where Yams and Sweet Potatoes Can Be Found

Yams are usually found growing in Africa, the Caribbean or Asia, although their popularity has grown in the United States. Sweet potatoes are commonly grown in the southern regions of the United States. But because the phrase “yams” was used in marketing material to describe sweet potatoes, almost a century later, the nickname has stuck. So while you may think you’re eating yams, it’s very possible that the marshmallow dish in the center of your Thanksgiving table is actually sweet potatoes.

Preparing a Yams Recipe for Thanksgiving

While yams are neutral in taste and firmer, sweet potatoes are literally sweeter. They’re also softer and fleshier than white potatoes. Making them on their own may quickly help the cook identify which is which. Either way, with the right kind of seasoning and marshmallows, both versions are enjoyable.