The 4th Sweet Potato Boom Has Arrived! The Secrets Behind the Popularity of Moist Varieties, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Dried Sweet Potatoes [2025 Latest]

2025-10-23

Introduction: Sweet Potatoes Are Hot Right Now!

An unprecedented sweet potato boom has arrived. In addition to the traditional fluffy varieties, new moist varieties are appearing one after another, and both roasted sweet potatoes and dried sweet potatoes are hugely popular. Sweet potato sweets of various varieties line the shelves of supermarkets and convenience stores, and specialty shops continue to increase. This article thoroughly introduces the background of the current sweet potato popularity, known as the 4th boom, attractive varieties, and even dried sweet potato recipes you can enjoy at home.

The Evolution of Sweet Potato Booms and Characteristics of the 4th Boom

Looking Back at the 1st to 3rd Booms

Sweet potatoes have experienced several booms throughout history. From the post-war food shortage era, through attention as a health food, to re-evaluation as a dessert ingredient, their value has been reconsidered with the times.

Characteristics of the 4th Boom

The current 4th boom has the following characteristics:

Diversification of Varieties From fluffy to moist types, diverse varieties with different textures have emerged. Consumer choices have greatly expanded. Varieties with high sugar content, such as Anno-imo, Beni-haruka, and Silk Sweet, are particularly popular.

Increase in Specialty Shops Roasted sweet potato specialty shops and sweet potato sweets specialty shops have appeared throughout Japan. The traditional stone-roasted sweet potato sales style has evolved into stylish cafes.

Affinity with Health Consciousness Sweet potatoes, rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients, and also noted as a low-GI food, have gained popularity in tandem with rising health consciousness.

Instagram-Worthy Appearance The vibrant colors and smooth texture are perfect for social media sharing. Hashtags like #roastedsweetpotato and #driedsweetpotato are hugely popular on Instagram and Twitter.

Fluffy vs. Moist: A Sweet Potato Variety Encyclopedia

Representative Fluffy Varieties

Beni-azuma A standard variety widely cultivated in the Kanto region. Characterized by a fluffy texture and moderate sweetness, it’s ideal for tempura and roasted sweet potatoes. Recommended for those who want to enjoy the traditional sweet potato flavor.

Naruto Kintoki A premium variety known as a specialty of Tokushima Prefecture. The exquisite balance of fluffiness and refined sweetness makes it popular as a gift item.

Beni-kogane Characterized by a powdery, fluffy texture. When steamed, its charm is maximized.

Representative Moist Varieties

Anno-imo A high-sugar variety originating from Tanegashima. When roasted, the sugar content can exceed 40 degrees, with sweetness like a dessert. As a pioneer of moist varieties, it became the catalyst for the boom.

Beni-haruka An extremely popular variety in recent years. Named with the meaning “much sweeter,” it boasts very high sugar content. When roasted, it becomes moist like honey.

Silk Sweet As the name suggests, characterized by a silky smooth texture. The balance of sweetness and texture makes it supported by a wide age range.

Beni-masari High sugar content with a moist texture. When roasted, it melts in your mouth.

Sweet Potato Cafe in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture: Rieko Niiya’s Challenge

A Cafe Born from Sweet Potato Love

Rieko Niiya runs a sweet potato cafe in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture. At her shop, you can enjoy menus and sweets made from variously processed sweet potatoes. Ms. Niiya’s goal is to “deliver the charm of sweet potatoes to many people.” Her passion leads to creative menu development.

Diverse Sweet Potato Menu

The sweet potato cafe offers diverse menus such as:

Sweets

Sweet potato Mont Blanc
Sweet potato pudding
Roasted sweet potato ice cream
Sweet potato tart
Dried sweet potato cheesecake

Meals

Sweet potato curry
Sweet potato potage
Sweet potato salad
Sweet potato croquettes

Drinks

Sweet potato latte
Sweet potato smoothie

Collaboration with the Local Community

Ms. Niiya collaborates with local farmers and insists on using sweet potatoes from Niigata Prefecture. While promoting local production for local consumption, it also functions as a base for promoting the region’s appeal.

Dried Sweet Potato Making in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture: Women Preserving Tradition

Japan’s Leading Dried Sweet Potato Production Area

Ibaraki Prefecture accounts for approximately 90% of Japan’s dried sweet potato production, making it the nation’s top producer. Hitachinaka City, in particular, is known as the center of this region. In this area, many farms work on dried sweet potato making as a winter tradition.

Women Supporting Annually Sold-Out Dried Sweet Potatoes

At one farm in Hitachinaka City, women lead the effort in dried sweet potato making. The dried sweet potatoes they produce sell out every year. The secret lies in the following careful work processes:

Carefully Selected Ingredients They mainly use varieties suitable for dried sweet potatoes, such as “Izumi” and “Tamatoyo.” After harvesting, they store them for a certain period to bring out the sweetness.

Traditional Manufacturing Methods They continue to preserve traditional processes of steaming, peeling, slicing, and sun-drying. While some parts can be mechanized, many parts remain hand-made to maintain quality.

Weather-Reading Skills Dried sweet potato making is a battle with the weather. To maximize the use of winter’s dry air and sunlight, they determine the timing of work while watching weather forecasts.

Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Dried Sweet Potatoes

Dried sweet potatoes have concentrated nutrients compared to raw sweet potatoes.

Dietary Fiber: Effective for relieving constipation
Potassium: Prevents swelling
Vitamin B1: Relieves fatigue
Iron: Prevents anemia

With natural sweetness and no additives, they’re also ideal as snacks for children.

Enjoy at Home! Easy Dried Sweet Potato Recipe Using an Oven

Basic Dried Sweet Potato Recipe

You can easily make dried sweet potatoes at home using an oven.

Ingredients

Sweet potatoes (Beni-haruka or Silk Sweet recommended): 2-3

Instructions

Preparation Wash the sweet potatoes well and boil them with skins on in a pot. Boil for about 30-40 minutes until a bamboo skewer passes through easily.
Peeling and Slicing After boiling, let them cool slightly and peel. Slice to about 1cm thickness. The point is to make the thickness uniform.
Drying in the Oven Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set the oven to 80-100°C and heat for about 1 hour.
Flip and Reheat Take them out once, flip them over, and heat for another 30 minutes to 1 hour. They’re done when the surface becomes slightly dry.
Sun-Drying (Optional) For a more traditional taste, after preliminary drying in the oven, put them in a sun-drying net and dry for 2-3 days for even better flavor.

Arrangement Recipes

Butter Dried Sweet Potato Spread butter on finished dried sweet potatoes and lightly toast them in a toaster for a fragrant snack.

Dried Sweet Potato and Nut Yogurt Bowl Cut dried sweet potatoes into small pieces, add to yogurt, and combine with nuts and granola for a nutritious breakfast.

Dried Sweet Potato Tempura Coat dried sweet potatoes with batter and deep-fry for a new texture dessert that’s crispy on the outside and moist inside.

Storage Methods and Delicious Ways to Eat Sweet Potatoes

Proper Storage Methods

If you store sweet potatoes incorrectly, the taste deteriorates or they spoil.

Room Temperature Storage Basically, store at room temperature. Keep in a well-ventilated place at about 13-16°C. It’s good to wrap them in newspaper and put them in a cardboard box. Avoid refrigerators as they cause cold damage.

Long-Term Storage Tips If you let them rest for about 2-3 weeks after harvesting, the starch converts to sugar and sweetness increases. This “ripening” is the secret to making sweet potatoes delicious.

Recommended Ways to Eat by Variety

Fluffy Types

Tempura: The fluffy texture stands out when coated and fried
Steamed sweet potato: Simply steaming lets you enjoy the ingredient’s flavor
Candied sweet potato: The contrast with the crispy texture is appealing

Moist Types

Roasted sweet potato: Slow roasting maximally brings out sweetness and texture
Sweet potato dessert: The smooth texture is perfect for sweets
Dried sweet potato: High sugar content creates rich-tasting dried sweet potatoes

Mastering Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Delicious Home Preparation

Exquisite Roasted Sweet Potatoes Made in the Oven

You can make roasted sweet potatoes that rival specialty shops in your home oven.

Temperature and Time Are Key

Preheat the oven to 160°C
Put sweet potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil inside
Roast slowly for 60-90 minutes
They’re done when a bamboo skewer passes through easily

Heating slowly at low temperature converts starch to sugar, increasing sweetness.

Toaster Oven Method

Time-Saving Version

Wash sweet potatoes and wrap in wet kitchen paper without drying
Wrap aluminum foil over that
Bake in toaster for 20 minutes
Flip and bake for another 20 minutes

Using the Microwave

Ultra Time-Saving Technique Microwave alone cannot bring out sweetness, but the following method produces relatively good results:

Heat in defrost mode (about 200W) for 15-20 minutes
Then toast for about 10 minutes to add color

This two-stage method creates sweet roasted sweet potatoes while saving time.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes and Diet Applications

Nutritional Components of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain abundant nutrients such as:

Dietary Fiber: Improves intestinal environment
Vitamin C: Beautiful skin effects, antioxidant action
Vitamin E: Anti-aging effects
Potassium: Blood pressure regulation, prevents swelling
β-Carotene: Improves immunity
Jalapine: A component unique to sweet potatoes with bowel movement improvement effects

Diet Applications

As a Low-GI Food Sweet potatoes have a lower GI value compared to white rice and bread, suppressing rapid blood sugar spikes. Replacing them as a staple food can provide diet effects.

Lasting Satiety Rich in dietary fiber, even small amounts provide satisfaction, reducing snacking.

Good Nutritional Balance Not only carbohydrates but also rich in vitamins and minerals, so it’s safe even during diets prone to nutritional deficiency.

Precautions Very sweet moist types have high sugar content, so be careful not to overeat. Aim for about 100-150g per day.

Latest Trends in Sweet Potato Sweets

Popular Menu Items at Specialty Shops

At sweet potato specialty shops nationwide, creative sweets like the following are gaining popularity:

Imo-kenpi Soft Serve Ice Cream: Fusion of traditional imo-kenpi and modern soft serve
Sweet Potato Tiramisu: Combination of mascarpone cheese and sweet potato paste
Purple Sweet Potato Macarons: Photogenic sweets utilizing the vibrant color of purple sweet potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potato Brûlée: Roasted sweet potato with caramel on top for crispy texture

Enjoying Sweet Potato Sweets Through Mail Order

You can easily enjoy the taste of famous distant shops in the online shopping era.

Dried Sweet Potato Gift Sets: Comparison sets of multiple varieties
Frozen Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Just defrost for specialty shop taste
Sweet Potato Sweets Assortments: Assortments of puddings, yokan, pies, etc.

Conclusion: Fully Enjoy the Charm of Sweet Potatoes

In the current era called the 4th boom, sweet potatoes have become more than just ingredients. Diverse varieties from fluffy to moist types, various eating methods from roasted to dried sweet potatoes, and new ways of enjoying them at cafes and specialty shops. The passion of people conveying the charm of sweet potatoes, like Rieko Niiya in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture, and the women working hard at dried sweet potato making in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, supports this boom.

At home, too, you can easily enjoy the deliciousness of sweet potatoes using the recipes introduced. Why not try making roasted sweet potatoes or dried sweet potatoes and find your favorite taste?

Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious, delicious, and rich in variations. This fall and winter, please fully enjoy the sweet potato lifestyle.