Native to Southeast Asia, ube is a purple yam whose glimmering purple center, mild, sweet flavor, and coconut-like aroma have made it a popular ingredient in traditional Filipino sweets. Across the U.S., chefs are using ube to give color and character to everything from ube co*cktails to ube cakes and even ube hamburger buns.
Ube is a major vegetable crop in the Philippines. The word ube (pronounced "ooo-bay") comes from the yam's name in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. (In the Philippines, it is also called ubi; when sold in seed catalogs in the United States for growing at home it is sometimes called "winged yam"). Ube is not to be confused with a purple sweet potato. Although purple sweet potatoes and ube share a rich purple color, they are entirely different ingredients. One of the most striking differences between the two is their appearance. Fresh ube has a dark, bark-like skin and flesh that can vary in color from a creamy white to a deep lavender. Purple sweet potatoes have a more smooth purple-colored skin and lilac-colored flesh. Anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants, are responsible for the purple color of both ingredients. Even though ube and purple sweet potatoes share a sweet, earthy taste, ube has a distinctively nuttier, vanilla-like flavor. In addition to their differences in taste, ube is more moist than sweet potatoes, which tend to be drier in texture. Apart from its beautiful color and delicious taste, ube also contains vitamins A and C, as well as high levels of potassium.
In the tropics, ube can be planted at any time of the year, but here in the United States, it's grown as an annual. The crop is low-maintenance, but can be difficult to contain. It is reported that vines can grow as tall as 30 feet, often climbing nearby walls and trees.
Preparing and Cooking
Fresh ube is often prepared and cooked like a potato — heated until it is soft. Like white potatoes, ube contains some toxins when raw, so it should always be thoroughly cooked. It can be prepared in a variety of ways: boiled, baked, mashed, or fried.
Storing
If you are able to source ube in fresh form, you should not store the whole ube in the refrigerator, as you would other starchy vegetables. Store them somewhere dry, dark and cool. The best way to preserve cooked ube is to cover it tightly in cling wrap or keep it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out. When stored this way, ube can last up to three days in the refrigerator and up to one month in the freezer. Keep dried or powdered ube in a cool dry place, away from sunlight.
Where to Purchase
As ube becomes more popular in American diets, it is important to consider its origins as a staple of Filipino culture for the past 400 years. Next time you look to enjoy the bright and beautiful goodness that comes from Ube, try to also support Filipino businesses—see some of our recommendations for where to source ube products below, as well as chef Nicole Ponseca's Where to Eat Delicious Filipino Food in Every State.
Fresh Ube
Ube is rarely imported as a fresh tuber in North America, but can sometimes be found fresh in the produce sections of Asian grocery stores. If you are lucky enough to find fresh ube, it can be eaten as a snack when boiled and skinned, or mashed then frozen to save for later.
Frozen Ube
Look in the freezer cases of Asian grocery stores for packages of frozen ube; it's usually mashed or grated, and already cooked so it can be used straight out of the package.
Ube Powder
Made from cooked, mashed, dehydrated, and ground ube, ube powder (also known as purple yam powder) must be cooked with water to reconstitute it into a paste, which can then be mixed into smoothies, added to white hot chocolate, incorporated into ice cream, or added to bread or pasta doughs to add color and a subtle nutty flavor. (Giron Powdered Yam; $5.19, sayweee.com)
Ube Extract
Made from ube steeped in alcohol, a few drops of ube extract adds a deep purple color and sweetness to recipes like this Halo-Halo co*cktail and these ube buns. (McCormick Ube Flavor Extract; $3.99 from sarapnow.com)
Ube Halaya
A thick, sweet pudding made from boiled and mashed purple yam mixed with sugar, butter, and coconut milk, ube jam is an element of many Filipino desserts such as halo-halo, but it's also deliciously decadent on its own. (Dragonfly Ube Halaya Purple Yam Jam; $5.99, sayweee.com)
Ube Ice Cream
Ube ice cream is another one of the main ingredients in the famous Filipino dessert, halo-halo, and it's also amazing on its own or atop your favorite warm pie. (Selecta Ube Royale Purple Yam Ice Cream; $4.88, selectaphilippines.com)
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of culinary ingredients, particularly those rooted in Southeast Asian gastronomy, I'm thrilled to delve into the fascinating world of ube—a purple yam that has gained immense popularity, especially in Filipino cuisine. My extensive knowledge of ingredients, culinary practices, and cultural significance positions me well to guide you through the various facets of this vibrant and versatile tuber.
1. Ube's Origins and Significance: Ube, scientifically known as Dioscorea alata, originates from Southeast Asia and is a major vegetable crop in the Philippines. Its name, pronounced "ooo-bay," is derived from Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. This rich, purple yam has become a staple in traditional Filipino sweets, offering a mild, sweet flavor, and a coconut-like aroma that adds character to a variety of dishes.
2. Distinction from Purple Sweet Potatoes: While ube and purple sweet potatoes share a similar vibrant purple color due to anthocyanins, they are distinct ingredients. Ube boasts a dark, bark-like skin and flesh ranging from creamy white to deep lavender, differing significantly from the smoother purple skin and lilac-colored flesh of purple sweet potatoes. Notably, anthocyanins contribute to the purple color of both, serving as powerful antioxidants.
3. Flavor Profile and Nutritional Benefits: Ube is not only celebrated for its aesthetic appeal but also for its distinct nuttier, vanilla-like flavor compared to purple sweet potatoes. Beyond taste, ube contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A and C, along with high levels of potassium. Its moist texture sets it apart from the drier consistency of sweet potatoes.
4. Growth and Planting: In the tropical climate of its native regions, ube can be planted throughout the year. However, in the United States, it is grown as an annual crop. Known for being low-maintenance, the vines of the ube plant can reach impressive heights, often climbing walls and trees, with reports of vines growing as tall as 30 feet.
5. Preparation and Cooking: Fresh ube is prepared similarly to potatoes—boiled, baked, mashed, or fried. It's crucial to note that raw ube, like white potatoes, contains toxins and should always be thoroughly cooked to ensure safety.
6. Storage Tips: Storing fresh ube involves keeping it in a dry, dark, and cool place rather than the refrigerator. Cooked ube can be preserved in cling wrap or an airtight container to prevent drying, lasting up to three days in the refrigerator and up to one month in the freezer.
7. Various Forms of Ube:
- Fresh Ube: Found in Asian grocery stores, fresh ube can be consumed as a snack when boiled and skinned or mashed and frozen for later use.
- Frozen Ube: Available in Asian grocery store freezer sections, pre-cooked and mashed frozen ube can be used directly.
- Ube Powder: Dehydrated and ground ube, this powder requires reconstitution with water. It's versatile, used in smoothies, hot chocolate, ice cream, or various doughs for added color and flavor.
- Ube Extract: An alcohol-steeped extract, a few drops of ube extract provide deep purple color and sweetness to recipes.
- Ube Halaya: A sweet pudding made from boiled and mashed ube mixed with sugar, butter, and coconut milk, often used in Filipino desserts.
- Ube Ice Cream: A key ingredient in the Filipino dessert halo-halo, ube ice cream is also enjoyed on its own or as a topping.
As ube gains popularity beyond its native regions, it's essential to appreciate its cultural roots, supporting Filipino businesses that have cherished this ingredient for centuries. Whether you're exploring fresh, frozen, powdered, or extracted forms, ube offers a spectrum of culinary possibilities that extend far beyond its vibrant color.
