Boiled sweet potatoes are a familiar dish for everyone. Boiling sweet potatoes is very simple, but to make them sweet and soft, you need to know a few tricks.

Sweet potatoes are a highly nutritious food. They contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that are beneficial for the body. Eating sweet potatoes the right way can support weight loss, improve digestion, and prevent diseases.

Sweet potatoes can be turned into many different dishes, such as sweet potato soup, boiled, steamed, or made into cakes. Among them, boiled sweet potatoes are the easiest to prepare and help retain the nutrients of the sweet potatoes. You can have boiled sweet potatoes for breakfast, as a snack, or use them as a substitute for white rice in low-calorie meals.

Although boiling sweet potatoes is simple, you need to follow a few small tips to make them soft and sweet.

How to Choose Good Sweet Potatoes

• Observe the shape: When buying sweet potatoes, choose those that are tapered at both ends with a thick middle section.

• Look at the skin: The skin of the sweet potato should be bright, even in color, and free from scratches or black spots. Sweet potatoes with black spots are often damaged or rotten, which is not only unappetizing but also unhealthy.

• Smell the aroma: Sweet potatoes with a spicy odor are likely to have been infested with pests. It's best to avoid buying these. If the sweet potatoes have a mild, natural fragrance, they are good to purchase.

Let the Sweet Potatoes "Rest" Before Boiling

If you want the sweet potatoes to be sweeter, you can let them sit in a dry, cool place. This process will reduce the water content in the sweet potatoes, making them sweeter. Make sure not to leave them exposed to moisture to avoid spoilage.

Add Seasoning When Boiling Sweet Potatoes

After washing the sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove dirt, place them in a pot, cover them with water, and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. The salt will enhance the flavor, making them sweeter and softer.

Boil the sweet potatoes on high heat. Once the water reaches a boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 10 more minutes. Depending on the size and quantity of the sweet potatoes, you may need to adjust the boiling time. To check if the sweet potatoes are done, use a fork to pierce them. If the fork easily goes through the sweet potato, it is cooked. Do not boil them for too long, as they may become mushy and lose their natural sweetness.

Let the Sweet Potatoes Drain

After boiling the sweet potatoes, don't rush to take them out and eat them immediately. Drain the water from the pot, then place the pot on the stove. Turn the heat to low to let the water evaporate completely, and let the skins of the sweet potatoes become slightly charred. This method will give the sweet potatoes a much sweeter, richer flavor, similar to roasted sweet potatoes.