Posted by UBE.25
Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a purple yam from the Philippines. You see it more and more: as purple latte in coffee bars, in ice cream, in cookies and on social media. But what exactly is ube, what does it taste like and what do you do with it? In this article you will find out in five minutes.
Ube in brief
- What: a tuber, officially Dioscorea alata, also known as purple yam.
- Origin: the Philippines, where ube has been a staple in desserts for generations.
- Taste: mild, slightly sweet and nutty, with a vanilla-like undertone.
- Color: naturally deep purple, without dye.
- Caffeine: none. Ube is naturally caffeine-free.
Where does ube come from?
Ube has grown in Southeast Asia for centuries and is inextricably linked to the cuisine in the Philippines. The best-known dish is ube halaya: a sweet, creamy paste made from cooked ube, which forms the base for cakes, buns and ice cream. Ube is simply part of holidays and family gatherings.
In recent years, ube has gained international attention. Bakeries in New York and Los Angeles put purple donuts and croissants in the window, and via social media the trend reached Europe. Now you can also find ube in coffee bars in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
Is ube the same as taro or purple sweet potato?
No. Ube, taro and purple sweet potato look alike, but they are three different plants. Taro is white to light grey on the inside and tastes milder. Purple sweet potato is a relative of the regular sweet potato and tastes sweeter and more like potato. Ube is a yam with a deep purple inside and a vanilla-like taste.
What does ube taste like?
The best description is mild, slightly sweet and nutty. Many people taste vanilla in it, and that is why ube pairs so well with milk, coconut and white chocolate. It is less pronounced than matcha or chai, which means that even people who are not fans of bitter or spicy flavors find it tasty.
In UBE.25 ube powder, there is 99.7% ube and 0.3% natural vanilla. That touch of vanilla enhances the flavor that ube already has.
Why is ube so purple?
The color is naturally in the tuber. It comes from anthocyanins: natural dyes that you also know from blueberries and red cabbage. So no added dye is used. Read more about that in what is in ube powder?
How do you use ube?
Fresh ube is almost impossible to get in the Netherlands. That is why most people use ube powder: dried and finely ground ube that dissolves in a few seconds. Here is how you use it:
- In drinks: whisk 2 to 2.5 grams of powder with a splash of hot water and add milk. This is how you make an ube latte or an iced ube latte.
- As a topping: make light ube cold foam for your coffee or matcha.
- In baked goods: mix it into dough or batter, such as in our ube cookies.
- In desserts: through cheesecake, ice cream or a ube lemon tart.
Tip: always whisk the powder first in a little hot water with a bamboo whisk or milk frother. Directly in cold milk it creates lumps.
Want to try it yourself?
With a 100-gram bag you make about 50 lattes. Check out UBE.25 ube powder, or look for inspiration in all our ube recipes. Do you have a coffee bar or restaurant? Then take a look at ube for hospitality.
