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.

If using a whole fresh ube, peel the ube, cut into cubes, boil until they are tender, and then mash if needed.

Taro has a starchy, slightly sweet flavor and is often used as a substitute for potatoes, while ube has a sweet, nutty flavor and is used primarily in desserts and sweet dishes. Last January, we debuted an ube crema to our menu. Just like our regular crema, this adds a hint of ube flavor to any drink you desire.

Ube is actually a purple yam. that originated from the Philippines, while taro. is a root that's enjoyed in many different continents. Ube and taro are often confused for each other. because of their rich purple color in many desserts, but taro is naturally white.

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.

The bottom line

Purple yams are an incredibly nutritious starchy root vegetable. Their powerful antioxidants may help reduce your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. They are tasty and versatile with a vibrant color, making them an exciting ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

If you're a fan of bubble tea, you might be wondering which ingredient - taro or ube - is a better choice for your drink. While both ingredients can be used to create delicious and creamy bubble tea, ube's distinct and sweeter flavor profile might be more appealing to those with a sweet tooth.

The color of certain foods can change in color depending on pH level or acidity and heat. In this particular Ube that I planted its anthocyanins are purple when it's uncooked and has a neutral pH. Anthocyanins have a purple hue in neutral pH while the color changes to blue in an increasing pH condition.

This decadent cheesecake combines the sweetness of ube with the creaminess of SKIPPY^® Peanut Butter. Topped with PLANTERS^® Pistachios and Macadamia nuts and coconut whipped cream, this colorful dessert will be an instant favorite.

Why is ube so delicious? ›

The distinct ube flavor is slightly nutty with a hint of vanilla. It has a coconut-like aroma that lends itself well to dessert items. Ube is most often boiled, mashed, and mixed with condensed milk to bring out its sweetness.

Even with their differences, substituting purple sweet potatoes for ube works great in a pinch. Only a true connoisseur will taste the subtle difference.

Purple yam is most common in Philippine cuisine (where it is known as ube or ubi).

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.

Ube has high levels of vitamins A and C, as well as lots of potassium, similar to potatoes. Taro is exceptionally high in fiber, with about 25% of your daily recommendation in just one serving. It's also extremely high in manganese, vitamin B6, and potassium.

Ube halaya, or ube jam, is often used in desserts like halo-halo (Filipino shaved ice) or added to pies and ice cream, which you can often find at Purple Yam. Besa's husband, Romy Dorotan, who's also the restaurant's chef, adds ube powder to lumpia (spring rolls) and pandesal (traditional Filipino rolls).

What truly sets ube ice cream apart is its seamless pairing with other beloved Filipino flavors like macapuno and pinipig. Macapuno, also known as coconut sport, is the soft, chewy flesh of the coconut that enhances the creaminess of the ice cream, adding another layer of flavor complexity.

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.

Ube is used widely in Filipino desserts and baked goods, from chiffon cake to cheese-filled pandesal. It tastes earthy and sweet with notes of vanilla, pistachio and coconut, which works beautifully in all sorts of dishes.