Roasting your own sweet potatoes is not as fragrant as the ones sold on the street. What’s the difference?

“Roasted sweet potatoes are hot and fragrant~” In the cold winter, the cries of roasted sweet potatoes on the street can always arouse our appetite. I use an electric oven to roast sweet potatoes at home, but I always feel that there is missing such an attractive aroma. What is the difference?

Understand that the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes comes from two things: the caramelization of the starches and the release of the sugars. Roasted sweet potatoes sold on the street usually use sweet potato varieties with high sugar and starch content, and are grilled over charcoal fire. The far-infrared heat energy of charcoal fire can penetrate deeply into the inside of sweet potatoes, heat them evenly, promote the caramelization of starch and the precipitation of sugar, and produce a rich roasting aroma.

On the other hand, in electric ovens at home, due to the heating method and confined space, it is difficult for the heat to penetrate deep into the inside of the sweet potatoes, resulting in incomplete starch coking, limited sugar release, and naturally weaker aroma. In addition, the general temperature and oven volume of home ovens are small, and they cannot produce a large area of ??heat like charcoal ovens on the street, which will naturally affect the distribution of aroma.

The smoke produced when the charcoal fire is burning will also add a unique flavor to the roasted sweet potatoes. Incomplete combustion in charcoal fire produces volatile compounds such as phenols and aldehydes, which have aromatic odors and can enhance the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes. The closed environment of an electric oven cannot produce similar smoke, and the aroma naturally lacks this smell.

Don’t ignore the influence of “atmosphere”. On the street, the steaming roasted sweet potato stalls are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of pedestrians and the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes. This atmosphere will subtly increase our appetite and make the roasted sweet potatoes taste more delicious. The kitchen at home is usually quiet and monotonous. Without this excitement, the aroma will naturally be compromised.

Want your homemade sweet potatoes to be more delicious? You might as well try these tips:

Choose the right varieties: sweet potatoes, purple potatoes and other high-sugar and high-starch varieties are easier to bake with a rich aroma.

Extend the baking time: Lower the oven temperature and extend the baking time so that the sweet potatoes are fully heated and the starch is caramelized more thoroughly.

Appropriate addition of oil: Brushing a layer of edible oil on the skin of sweet potatoes can promote coking and enhance the aroma.

With the help of smoke: Put a small piece of wood chips or tea leaves in the oven to simulate the charcoal smoke effect and increase the flavor of roasted sweet potatoes.

Create a sense of atmosphere: You can play the noisy audio of the market next to the oven to create a lively atmosphere and increase appetite.