Matcha paved the way for colourful lattes. Today, ube is joining it on café menus and in kitchen cupboards. Both are prepared with a whisk, enjoyed hot or iced, and made to be photographed. But they have almost nothing else in common. Let's compare.
At a glance
| Ube | Matcha | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A root (purple yam), dried then ground | Green tea leaves, ground into a powder |
| Usual origin | Philippines | Japan |
| Colour | Purple, thanks to the pigments in the root | Green |
| Taste | Soft, between vanilla and hazelnut, no bitterness | Grassy, sometimes bitter |
| Caffeine | None | Yes, like tea |
| Preparation | Whisked in a splash of hot water, then topped up with milk | Whisked in hot water, then topped up with milk or water |
Taste: softness versus character
Matcha has a pronounced grassy taste, which many tea lovers enjoy but which can surprise. Ube is rounder and more gourmet: a softness between vanilla and hazelnut, with no bitterness at all. That is what makes it accessible to everyone, children included.
Caffeine: the point that changes everything
Matcha comes from tea, so it contains caffeine. Ube is a root and contains none. In practice, you can have an ube latte at any time of day, including in the evening, with no time restriction.
The colour
The green of matcha is a classic. The purple of ube is rarer. It comes from anthocyanins, pigments naturally present in the root, and not from an added colouring. Over ice, that is where the colour is most spectacular.
Preparation: the same gesture
Good news if you already own a bamboo whisk: the gesture is the same. Mix the powder into a small splash of hot water, whisk until smooth, then add the milk. Allow about one minute. Here is the detailed method for ube.
So, which one to choose?
It is not a duel. If you like the character of green tea, matcha remains an excellent choice. If you want a soft, gourmet, caffeine-free and very colourful drink, ube is worth trying. Many people end up enjoying both, at different times of the day.
Want to try? Discover Laya ube powder.