Step 1

Soft or mushy texture. A good sweet potato should be firm to the touch. If it's soft or mushy, it's likely spoiled.

Step 2

Discoloration. Look for any dark spots or patches on the skin. These could be a sign of rot. If the flesh inside the potato is not a vibrant yellow or orange, it's also best to discard it.

Step 3

Mold. If you see any mold on the sweet potato, don't eat it.

Step 4

Smell. A fresh sweet potato should have a mild, earthy smell. If it has a sour or off smell, it's probably gone bad.

Step 5

Sprouts or “eyes”. This means you are likely looking at a pretty old sweet potato. While it’s possible to scrape off small ones, “eyes” that are more than half a centimeter long means the sweet potato may not taste good or have other unseen signs of spoilage.

Step 6

Any combination of these signs means it’s best to discard the sweet potato and not eat it.