Ube can’t be labeled as just another exotic plant. It’s a Filipino culinary treasure that has taken the entire world by storm. Initially grabbing the internet’s attention due to its distinct purple color, ube has become a staple because of its surprisingly subtle sweetness in drinks, savory dishes, and desserts. If you’d like to start preparing ube but don’t know how or what to make, then you’re in for a treat, so keep reading!
What is Ube?
Ube, which is also known as purple yam, is a purple root vegetable that is native to the Philippines. It’s become a staple in many Filipino desserts, which make use of its deep purple hue and mild, yet nutty taste. You shouldn’t confuse ube with purple sweet potatoes, as it has a drier texture and is used in many modern and traditional cuisines. However, ube has recently grown in popularity across the globe.
Where Can Ube Be Bought?
Ube is usually found in Asian grocery stores, especially those that specialize in Filipino products. It comes in many forms, like powdered, frozen, fresh, or in jars, as a Filipino jam called ube halaya. Although it is difficult to find fresh ube, as it spoils quickly, it’s worth trying larger retailers that might stock it, like Amazon or some Filipino food websites.
What Does Ube Taste Like?
Ube has been described as having an earthy, yet subtly sweet taste, like a combination of coconut, vanilla, and pistachio. Its texture and taste have made it perfect for desserts, since it doesn’t overpower any of the ingredients. Compared to sweet potato or taro, ube’s taste is more nutty and floral, explaining why it’s often put in cakes, drinks, pastries, and ice cream.
Is There A Difference Between Taro and Ube?
Ube and taro are two different plants with very distinct appearances and flavors. Taro’s color is a pale lavender, with specks of white, and it has a starchy, neutral taste. Ube is a more vivid purple and has a nutty, sweet taste. Unlike ube, which is mostly used in desserts, taro is featured in both sweet and savory dishes.
Why is Ube Purple?
The anthocyanins give ube its natural color, which is an antioxidant that is also found in red cabbage and blueberries. When cooked, ube’s colors intensify, especially when made into a powdered form and mixed into dishes. Not only is the color beautiful, but it also indicates the presence of various nutrients found within ube, making it an even better combination for desserts!
Does Ube Work Well in Baked Goods?
Ube’s flavor and texture are ideal for baking. You can use it as a puree or make ube halaya, which can be blended into cake batters, breads, and cookie doughs. The natural sweetness of the ube lets you cut out unnecessary sugar, and its color makes the baked goods turn a hue of purple. You’ll also notice ube baked goods are softer than usual, which is because of ube’s moisture-retaining qualities.
Ube Comes in Many Different Forms
As I’ve briefly mentioned, ube does come in many different forms. Outside of the Philippines, it’s most prevalent in its frozen or powdered form. Fresh ube is difficult to get your hands on outside of the Philippines, as it spoils quickly. However, you can try your luck and look for ube halaya, which works well on bread or can be incorporated into your baking dough.
Ube Can Be Combined With Sweets
Various sweet ingredients work great with ube! Vanilla, condensed milk, cheese, and coconut are classic Filipino ingredients. Halo-halo, which is a layered Filipino dessert, often makes use of ube, with other desserts like crinkle cookies, cheesecake, and ice cream following suit. When you eat ube desserts, you’ll find that the taste is very subtle, which is why it’s become such a staple in desserts.
You Have to Make or Try Ube Halaya
Ube halaya is basically ube jam, and it is one of the most beloved ways to store, transform, and eat ube. Although it’s simply made from boiling and mashing ube, many recipes also add coconut milk, butter, or condensed milk. When it’s done, you can eat it on its own or add it to other dishes like ice cream or any other dessert that might benefit from ube halaya’s distinct taste.
Use Ube for Various Drinks
Ube isn’t only used in foods but is also combined with beverages. Ube smoothies, lattes, milk tea, and frappés showcase its unique color and taste. Try mixing halaya with your beverage for a creamier taste or add it to your cocktails. Many classic recipes have made use of ube and found it to be an excellent addition for overall taste and sweetness as a plant-based alternative.
Ube Extract Can Intensely Flavor or Color Meals
Ube extract is a concentrated powder encompassing the yam’s color and flavor. It is so potent that it usually only takes a few drops to give a dish a distinct taste and purple tint. Many people use it in baking, as it’s easier to obtain compared to other ube alternatives. One easy way to use it is by combining it with a custard or a frosting before decorating a cake.
Ube Cake is a Celebratory Favorite
Ube chiffon is a Filipino ube roll cake that has become a favorite at celebrations all over the Philippines. It is a soft, fluffy cake that is often layered with ube halaya or whipped cream and topped with ube icing. Many birthdays, festivals, and holidays bring families together to enjoy ube chiffon after their main dishes.
Shelf-Stable Options Exist
Many suppliers have started to notice the high demand for ube, and since fresh stocks don’t last, they’ve begun to offer shelf-stable options. Ube halaya in airlocked jars, as well as powdered or extracted ube, can last for months in your pantry and have become available in more mainstream grocers. You might even find canned ube or a ube-flavored syrup, which goes well with pancakes!
Ube Has Many Health Benefits
Ube not only tastes good but is also nutritious and healthy. It’s filled with fiber and complex carbohydrates that support digestion and provide long-lasting energy throughout your day. The anthocyanins that give it its purple color are powerful antioxidants that promote heart health and fight inflammation. It even contains iron, potassium, and vitamin C, helping you catch up on your necessary micronutrients.
Ube is a Symbol of Filipino Pride
Ube is much more than an ingredient—it is a cultural icon of the Philippines. Since it’s deeply rooted in Filipino culture, the dishes it is part of represent national pride, tradition, and creativity refined over the decades. Luckily, because of its international popularity, the taste and cultural significance of ube can be shared with people from all around the world.
