Purple, creamy and all over social media: ube is the drink trend of the year. What matcha is to green, ube is to purple – and the ube latte has long since reached cafés from Zurich to Geneva. Here's what's behind the purple root, how it tastes, and how to make your own ube latte with bubble tea pearls at home.
What exactly is ube?
Ube (pronounced „OO-beh“) is a purple yam (Dioscorea alata) from the Philippines – where it has been the base for desserts such as ube halaya and ube ice cream for generations. The root is naturally an intense purple and tastes delicately sweet with notes of vanilla and pistachio. One important distinction: ube is not the same as taro – taro is paler, starchier and less sweet.
Why is ube everywhere right now?
The combination of natural colour (no dyes at all), mild flavour and photogenic looks makes ube the perfect social media drink. Searches for ube in Switzerland have almost doubled within a year – and if you want to try the trend at home, you need just one thing: ube powder.
Make your own ube latte – the recipe
For one glass you need 4 g of natural ube powder, 100 ml hot water, 150 ml milk (or oat/soy milk) and pearls to taste:
- Whisk the ube powder smooth with hot water (75–80°C) – using a whisk or milk frother
- Pour in hot or cold milk and mix well
- Add 30–50 g of tapioca pearls or popping boba (mango and piña colada work perfectly) to the glass
- Add ice cubes and an XXL straw from our accessories – your ube bubble tea latte is ready
Buying ube in Switzerland
Our natural ube powder contains no added colourings or flavourings – the colour comes 100% from the purple yam. A 100 g tin makes up to 25 drinks. The trend is currently so strong that the powder can sell out from time to time – the product page shows current availability, and more stock is on the way. As a second variety you'll find our organic matcha powder in the powder category.
Frequently asked questions about ube
What does ube taste like?
Delicately sweet and creamy, with vanilla and light pistachio notes – milder than taro and less bitter than matcha.
Is ube healthy?
The purple yam is rich in anthocyanins – the same antioxidants found in blueberries. As a latte it remains, of course, a treat.
What is the difference between ube and taro?
Ube is a purple yam with a sweet, vanilla-like flavour and intense colour; taro is a paler tuber, starchier and more subtle in taste.
Is ube powder vegan?
Yes – pure ube powder is vegan. With plant milk and tapioca pearls the whole ube latte is vegan.