Food & Wine

💜 What Is Ube? Discover the Purple Yam Behind the Color Craze

Ube is a vibrant purple yam native to Southeast Asia, long cherished in Filipino cuisine. Known for its bold color, naturally sweet flavor and subtle vanilla-coconut aroma, ube is now making its way into kitchens and cafés around the world. You’ll find it in lattes, ice cream, pastries and more.

Ube 101: More Than Just a Pretty Ingredient

Pronounced oo-beh, ube has been used for generations in traditional Filipino cooking. Unlike purple sweet potatoes, it has a rough dark skin and a striking lavender interior. Its flavor is soft, slightly nutty and delicately sweet, with hints of vanilla.

That vibrant purple color comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help protect against oxidative stress. Ube is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, making it as nourishing as it is beautiful.

 

From Root to Powder: How to Use Ube

Fresh ube should always be cooked before use. It can be steamed, boiled, mashed or baked, just like a potato. Once cooked, it can be stored in the fridge for a few days, or frozen for later use.

Ube powder, made from cooked and dried purple yam, is a practical and versatile way to enjoy the ingredient daily. It blends easily into ube lattes, smoothies, ice cream, baked goods and more.

To keep it fresh, store your ube powder in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

 

Ube Lab: Sharing the Culture, Honoring the Roots

At Ube Lab, we’re proud to offer 100% pure ube powder made from real purple yam. No additives, no coloring, just the natural beauty of the ingredient. Our goal is to celebrate ube’s cultural roots in the Philippines while making it easy to enjoy in modern recipes.

Whether you're new to ube or already a fan, our powder is here to bring color, creativity and joy to your kitchen.

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🌸 Want to try it yourself?

Visit our recipes page and explore how to use Ube Lab powder at home.