What is ube?
Ube is a naturally purple-colored tuberous root also known as the purple yam. It is traditionally pronounced “OOO-beh,” not “OOO-bae” nor “YOU-bae” since there are no long vowel sounds in Tagalog. It is native to the Philippines and is a popular food ingredient in many Filipino desserts and pastries. Thanks to its striking purple hue and familiar flavor profile, it has been growing in popularity in other countries as well.
Due to it’s visually appealing color and high “Instagramability,” it reached fever pitch in the mid-2010s becoming the “it” flavor of many trendy treats like: cronuts, macarons, rolled ice cream, shaved snow, bubble waffles, boba milk teas, and milkshakes and lattes.
This purple yam is commonly mistaken for other starchy vegetables, specifically taro and the Okinawan sweet potato, which are also used as primary ingredients in purple-colored foods.
Ube (purple yam) vs. Taro
Ube is not Taro. The Philippine purple yam is frequently confused with taro (and vice versa) because they are both found in purple desserts. However, they are two completely separate types of vegetables.
Where does Ube come from?
According to the Philippine Journal of Crop Science, the Philippines is known to produce the greatest variety of purple yams. Although there is no documented proof on the exact year this crop was first used in Filipino cooking, it was first mentioned in the Tagalog/Spanish dictionary, Vocabulario de la lengua tagala, written in 1613. A Filipino cookbook written in 1918, Condimentos Indigenas, includes a pumpkin jam recipe which uses a very similar process to making the traditional Filipino dessert, ube halaya. It has become a staple ingredient in many Filipino desserts.
Taro, on the other hand, is primarily produced in Nigeria. It has been traced back to multiple regions: South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia. However, recent studies reveal that it is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It has become as staple ingredient in African, Polynesian and South Asian foods.
What does Ube look like?
Although both are tuberous root vegetables, they have very distinct features.
Ube, frankly, looks just like what it is…a purple yam. Its skin is relatively smooth and has a purplish tinge due to its internal “meat,” which is a vibrant purple.
Taro resembles a small coconut and can be likened to a hairy potato. Its exterior has a brown rough skin with thin root-like extensions while its interior is whitish and is “sprinkled” throughout with tiny purplish flecks.
What does Ube taste like?
The flavor of both of these vegetables include a bit of sweetness and nuttiness. They are also starchy in texture. So what makes them different?
Ube is distinctly sweeter than taro and its overall taste is also richer than taro. Its flavor is similar to vanilla or white chocolate. Many have claimed that the nuttiness of ube is comparable to pistachios (a green nut which is a part of the cashew family). The texture of ube is softer because it is a yam.
Taro is generally more mild in flavor and has lighter notes of vanilla mixed with sweet potato. It is also naturally a bit harder in texture, more potato-like.
How to cook with Ube
Ube has been deeply rooted (yes, we went there) in traditional Filipino food culture. It’s commonly used in Filipino desserts like ube halaya (a purple sticky pudding), cakes, pancakes, pastries, ice cream and halo-halo.
Taro is used in a wider variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. These include breads, curries, stews, smoothies, poi, and chips.
What are some health benefits of Ube?
Ube is naturally nutritious as it is a great source of vitamin C, potassium and complex carbohydrates. These provide many health benefits.
Taro is also healthy and is a high in vitamins A, C and E as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber and complex carbohydrates (amylose and amylopectin).
Keep in mind that the exterior of this benign-looking vegetable is unexpectedly toxic. Taro contains oxalate crystals just below the surface of the peel which can result in numbness, skin rashes, or mouth and throat irritation. So, if you see raw taro, leave it to the pros to handle it. If for some reason you must interact with raw taro, it is best to wear gloves and a quality mask to prevent any accidental contact with its toxins. The proper cooking of taro neutralizes these toxins.
Ube vs. Okinawan purple sweet potato
What’s the difference between Ube and an Okinawan purple sweet potato? Okinawan sweet potatoes (a.k.a. purple sweet potatoes, bene-imo, Hawaiian sweet potato and uala) are the only sweet potatoes of the bunch. Technically, they are not potatoes, but are members of the morning glory family. It is believed that they originated from the Aztecs of South America and were transported by the Spaniards to the Philippines and China in the late 15th century. It eventually made its way to Japan in the 1600s.
They are slightly more similar in color to taro on the outside due to their chalky white skin and look slightly more like Philippine purple yams on the inside due to its purple interior.
These purple sweet potatoes are closer to ube in sweetness than taro, but they have a very dry starchy texture. In addition they have a slightly bitter aftertaste.
They are commonly used in many dishes that potatoes are normally used in and are often baked, boiled, fried, roasted, or steamed.
Like ube and taro, the Okinawan sweet potato is also high in nutrients as it is rich in Vitamin A and C, fiber, iron and potassium.
Where to buy Ube?
You can find traditional ube-based foods in most specialty Filipino dessert shops or Filipino restaurants that serve traditional desserts. View this map to find ube ice cream, pancakes, donuts, and other desserts:
Buy ube halaya from SweetTummyGoods on Etsy here.
Buy ube pan de sal from The Purple Bakeshop on Etsy here.
Buy ube crinkle cookies by Bunso Breads on Etsy here.
Buy ube mochi cake balls from Bunso Breads on Etsy here.
If you’re looking for something a little more trendy, check out some places on Glutto right here.
How can I make Ube Halaya?
There are many different desserts and dishes you can make with the Philippine purple yam. The absolute easiest way is to mix in some pre-made ube halaya into whatever dessert you are making. But, if you want a more authentic recipe, here is how to make traditional ube halaya at home.
- 2 lbs Filipino purple yam
- 14 oz condensed milk
- 12 fl oz evaporated milk
- 1/2 lbs butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 5-10 drops drops purple food coloring
- First, boil the purple yams until soft. Then blend or mash thoroughly and evenly.
- Put the butter, sugar, condensed milk and evaporated milk together in a pot and heat until the butter is completely melted. Mix the ingredients completely.
- Add the mashed purple yams and mix everything together in a thick paste. Add drops of food coloring until desired color is reached.
- Put the mix into a container or mold and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Serve with butter. Enjoy!
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Discover more about ube
Kristina Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Glutto and an alumna of the University of California, San Diego. She writes articles & posts for Glutto Digest with insights from fellow industry experts. Furthermore, she is the author of The Fittest Food Lovers: How EVERY BODY Can be Incredibly Fit and Still Enjoy Food, a collaborative philanthropic book with proceeds going to charities that fight world hunger.