You have probably seen its intense purple all over social media: ube (pronounced “oo-beh”) has become the ingredient everyone wants to try. But what is actually in this purple latte? Here is the essentials, simply.
A purple yam from the Philippines
Ube is a purple yam, botanical name Dioscorea alata. It is a root, not a leaf or a grain. Originally from Southeast Asia, it holds an important place in Philippine culture, where it has been grown for centuries and is valued for its finesse and unique character in sweet preparations.
The ube in Ube Laya is grown on the island of Bohol, in the Philippines.
Why is it purple?
This colour is not artificial. Ube owes its shade to anthocyanins, pigments found in its flesh. That is why a pure ube powder is naturally purple, with no added colouring.
What does ube taste like?
Soft and gourmet, somewhere between vanilla and hazelnut, with a light, naturally sweet note and a creamy texture. It has no bitterness, unlike matcha or coffee. Everyone perceives it differently: some taste chocolate, others find it more neutral, and the result depends a lot on the milk you add.
How does it become a powder?
The root is dried then ground into a fine powder. The powder then mixes easily with hot water or milk. In the Laya jar, there is just one ingredient: 100% ube powder.
Ube, sweet potato, taro: do not mix them up
These three roots look alike in their tuber-like way, but they are different plants. Ube is a yam (Dioscorea alata), while sweet potato belongs to another family, as does taro. Their colour, taste and uses are not the same.
What is ube powder used for?
- Drinks: the ube latte, hot (it drinks like a comforting hot chocolate) or iced (where the colour is most spectacular).
- Cooking: smoothies, pancakes, cakes, cookies and other bakes. It brings a lovely purple colour and a soft, lightly vanilla flavour.
- Colour: a natural alternative to food colouring.
Does ube contain caffeine?
No, zero caffeine. Ube is a root, not a stimulant: you can enjoy it at any time of day, including in the evening.
Going further
Want to try it? Find out how to make an ube latte in one minute, our drink recipes, or Laya ube powder.