What Is Ube? Origin, Flavor and What Makes This Purple Yam Unique
Spotted vibrant purple drinks or desserts on Instagram or TikTok and wondered what's behind that incredible color? The answer comes down to one word: ube. Here's everything you need to know about the ingredient that's taking Europe by storm.
What exactly is ube?
Ube (pronounced "oo-beh") is a variety of purple yam, known scientifically as Dioscorea alata, native to Southeast Asia. It has been grown for centuries in the Philippines, where it plays a central role in traditional cuisine, especially in desserts.
Contrary to popular belief, ube is neither a purple sweet potato nor taro, even though all three look alike. Ube has a denser texture, a more intense and naturally purple color (nothing added), and a flavor all its own: mellow, lightly sweet, with notes of vanilla and hazelnut that can sometimes recall pistachio.
Where does its purple color come from?
Ube's striking color comes from anthocyanins, natural pigments also found in blueberries, red cabbage and black grapes. They're not added dyes: it's a 100% natural feature of the tuber, which explains why ube is so popular with brands looking for products that are both beautiful and natural.
How is ube eaten?
Traditionally, ube is boiled and then turned into "ube halaya", a thick jam made with coconut milk and condensed milk that serves as the base for countless desserts: cakes, ice cream, fritters, mochi... Today it also comes as a powder or extract, which is far easier to use at home, especially for making an ube latte in minutes without having to cook the tuber.
Ube, taro, purple sweet potato: how to tell them apart
| Ingredient | Color | Flavor | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ube | Deep, even purple | Mellow, vanilla-like, slightly nutty | Philippines / Southeast Asia |
| Taro | Grayish white with purple flecks | Neutral, lightly sweet, earthy | Southeast Asia / Pacific |
| Purple sweet potato | Duller purple, flesh sometimes white | Sweeter, closer to a regular sweet potato | South America (native) |
Next time you see a dessert or drink in such a deep shade of purple, you'll recognize ube at first glance!
Enjoy ube easily at home
No need to track down the fresh tuber or make halaya. Our Ube Latte powder is made from a single ingredient, purple yam, and is caffeine-free with no added sugar. Whisk a heaped teaspoon into a splash of hot water, top up with milk, and your ube latte is ready in 90 seconds.
Want to go further? Explore our ube recipes, from the iced latte to the chiffon cake, or read our ube vs matcha comparison.
Ube Latte
