20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What flavors go best with ube? ›

Ube tastes mildly sweet (but sweeter than taro and a sweet potato), with a nutty flavor, and is a bit like a vanilla baked good. That's why it's commonly paired with coconut and white chocolate in desserts.

Due to dwindling local production and the need to meet export demands, ube flavoring and color has become common in the Asian country. Scarcity in supply of the crop has also resulted in high prices.

And even though yams and sweet potatoes aren't the same thing, ube does have a similar earthy sweetness as that found in purple sweet potatoes. The sweetest and most prized variety of ube is kinampay, which is often referred to as "the queen of Philippine yams" and is known for its complex flavor.

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.

Taro is high in fiber, vitamins C and E, and potassium. It's also low in fat and calories, making it a great choice for those watching their weight or looking to improve their heart health. Ube, on the other hand, is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Generally, ube is sweeter than taro. It contains much more natural sugar, and its softer texture makes it taste sweeter in your mouth. However, both ube and taro usually have plenty of sugar added to them when used in desserts.

Ube is a good source of dietary fiber, which plays a vital role in promoting gut health. Fiber helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, aids in digestion, and may even help regulate blood sugar levels.

Dioscorea alata is a species of yam commonly referred to as purple yam, ube, violet yam, or water yam. This tuberous root vegetable originates from Southeast Asia and is often confused with taro root. An indigenous staple of the Philippines, it's now cultivated and enjoyed worldwide.

In Filipino culture, ube is not just a food but also a symbol of Filipino resilience and adaptability. Even during challenging times, the ube plant thrives, much like the Filipino spirit.

Folk medicine has used ube to treat the symptoms of menopause, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and infertility. In traditional Chinese medicine, diosgenin (the tuber storage protein of ube) is extracted from wild yam and used to treat kidney and liver problems.

Is ube good for diabetics? ›

Diabetes affects a sizable portion of the human population. Flavonoids found in purple yams help reduce blood sugar levels. Studies report that eating purple yams can help control blood sugar.

With this high demand for ube locally and around the globe, ube farmers and producers can barely keep up. In August 2020, food manufacturer Ramar Foods announced an ube shortage due to demand, climate change, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

greenish color as a result from its baking process. browning effect gives the base a “green-ish” color. Therefore, this is entirely natural.

Is Ube Safe for Dogs? Provided the ube has been properly prepared (boiled or steamed) it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Feeding a large amount in one go will likely lead to gastrointestinal upset or discomfort, so don't go too crazy.

Plant Biology

The skin of Okinawan sweet potato is thin, like an Irish potato, and can be eaten. Ube has a thick, bark-like skin, which allows the crop to store for longer, but is unpleasant to eat. Okinawan sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family and completely unrelated to yams, such as ube.

Ube jam can be used as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast. You can also swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal for a colorful and flavorful breakfast treat. What are some creative ways to use ube jam in desserts? Ube jam can be used as a filling for cakes, cupcakes, and pastries.

The Allure of Ube

Its sweet, nutty, and subtly floral notes make it an ideal choice for both sweet and savory creations. As consumers increasingly seek novel and visually appealing experiences in their food, Ube fits the bill perfectly.

Purple yam powder can then be mixed with water or added to recipes for that vibrant purple coloring and nutty, vanilla flavor. Ube powder is excellent for smoothies, hot chocolate, bread, cakes, and elegant desserts like these ube macarons.

— It has a smooth texture and a mild, sweet flavor that has been compared to white chocolate or a cross between vanilla and pistachio. — Yes, that unearthly color is natural — you can see it as soon you slice into a raw tuber.