From time to time, I use my limited social connections to try to resolve an issue. This is going to be another one of those times, because I simply cannot find something. I am asking my readers for a little assistance on both a source as well as information on an elusive strain of sweet potato.
I first heard of these several months ago in passing, from RidgeRunner. He has a work associate, Hank, that will speak for hours on the joys of various varieties of sweet potatoes. The topic is also one of my favorites, though I am far from an expert on varieties. My interests fall more under the heading of “ways to eat them, no matter the variety”. I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak 
with Hank, so of course, one of the subjects I brought up was sweet potatoes.
Sweetness, productivity, and flavor were all talked about. However, the most interesting sweet potato topic was regarding a variety that turned a shade of green when cooked. This is where I need help…
Hank told me he understood that it was a variety called “Hayman”, and originated on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It is a poor producer, but has a remarkably sweet flavor, sweeter than anything else Hank had tasted before or since in a sweet potato.
So, my question to you is this, have any of you ever heard of a “green” sweet potato? Have you ever grown them?? And if so, how can I get my hands on some?
Let me know, please…
Peace,
db
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Yes, they are Haymans. Here is an article I found online.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/19/AR2010111906266.html?sid=ST2010111906376
I just grew sweet potatoes for the first time this year and can’t believe I waited so long! A wonderful crop up in Central Florida. When not much else survived the summer, the sweet potatoes went crazy. These Haymans sound like an interesting variety.
Just found your blog and really am enjoying reading it.
I’ve read many articles about them, but have come up with conflicting storied from time to time…these seem to be the proper ones though..
Hopefully, time will tell 🙂
And sweet potatoes are one of my (almost) guaranteed crops for Florida… I’ve not had much problems with them…
Googled Hayman Sweet Potatoes – came up with this article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/19/AR2010111906266.html
Pickett’s Harbor Farm, Cape Charles VA 757-331-1610
Hope this will help
Just a note, but I’ve lived in Japan for four years whilst in the Navy. We bought sweet potatoes there from Costco often (local produce), and they were of the “green when cooked” variety. Evidently, it is a more common (original) color, and the orange one was “developed” for appeal. Made the best sweet potato casserole ever!
Need some help from experts. Some time ago I learned about putting sweet potatoes in brown bag to ripen them, like you do with peaches. Anyone heard of this? I tried it one thanksgiving and forgot until I found the mummified remains.
First, I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I just grow them in my yard.
I’ve never heard of this for sweet potatoes. I usually go dig mine up as needed, since the plants grow year round here in zone 10a (no frost).
I have heard of curing them, like you do a white potato, basically, digging them up, and letting them “rest for 7-10 days in a 70-90 degree area to allow them to dry and become a little more resilient to handling (toughening the outer layer) , as well as sweeten a bit.
Peaches are put into a brown bag to concentrate the ethylene, a ripening agent for some fruits. Sweet potatoes are not fruits, and based on what I read in this study done at UC Davis, exposing sweet potatoes to ethylene causes an increase in color and flavor loss.
So from what I’m finding in doing a little research, putting sweet potatoes into a paper bag won’t do much good, and if anything produce an inferior sweet potato over one that was simple air dried, or even fresh-dug.
Hope that helps!
A late comment, but yes, slips for Hayman sweet potatoes are available from a variety of sources specializing in heirloom varieties. I get mine from Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa: http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/pages/sweetpotato_catalog.html
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange also has them (as “White Hamon”): http://www.southernexposure.com/sweet-potatoes-c-229.html?zenid=9c8mmjavfg6udlbmmqrp3eebi1
It’s worth searching under several variations of the name: Hayman, Haymon, Hamon, White Hayman (etc.), Old Hayman (etc.) They are worth the hunt and the extra expense.
A couple fantastic resources!
Thanks so much for taking the time to post them!
OK – so glad you posted this because we inadvertently purchased these for Thanksgiving. It is not the day to have green sweet potatoes but you are correct they are very sweet. I wouldn’t mind any other day but putting this mashed green (it isn’t a pretty green either) on the table will take some explanation. That is why I am so happy you published this post. Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope it all worked out! Where did you find the green ones? I’m more than a little curious! As I type this, I have two purple sweet potatoes in my kitchen window sprouting to make slips to grow them. When I say “purple, I mean a DEEP, rich, royal velvet purple potato. Taste is OK, a little starchy, but adds fantastic color to a dish…and they grow easy enough so far. We shall see.
Cheers!
db