What is ube? the purple sweet potato that’s taking over

It’s purple, it’s dreamy, it’s lowkey iconic.

💜 what’s that purple thing?

If you’ve ever seen a dreamy purple latte or a swirl of violet soft serve on Instagram and thought “wait… what is that?” — you’ve probably just met ube. Pronounced oo-beh, this vibrant root veggie is stealing hearts (and taste buds) everywhere. And no, it’s not taro. Let’s get into it.

🍠 what even is ube?

Ube is a type of purple yam that comes from the Philippines. It’s been a staple in traditional Filipino desserts for generations — from halaya (a sweet ube jam) to cakes and ice cream.

But now? Ube’s gone global. Think: lattes, mochi, cookies, and even croissants — all rocking that signature lavender hue.

👅 the flavor? chef’s kiss.

Unlike its more neutral cousin taro, ube brings a naturally sweet, nutty, vanilla-y flavor that’s comforting and lowkey addictive.

It tastes like vanilla with a hint of coconut
It’s creamy, soft, and melts in your mouth
And yes, that color is 100% natural

Ube isn’t just a flavor — it’s a vibe.

🧁 from filipino kitchens to your feed

Ube’s journey from Filipino comfort food to TikTok star has been powered by its bold color, dreamy texture, and universal deliciousness. Food creators and cafés love using it in:

Lattes
Ice cream
Cheesecake
Pancakes
Donuts
Even ube grilled cheese (yes, that’s a thing)

And it’s not just cute — ube is also rich in antioxidants, thanks to the pigments that give it its purple hue.

💫 ube vs taro: not the same, babe.

Let’s clear this up once and for all:

	Ube 💜	Taro 🟣
Type	Purple yam	Root vegetable (not a yam)
Flavor	Sweet, nutty, vanilla vibes	More earthy, mild
Texture	Creamy & soft	Starchy & grainy
Color	Bright purple (natural)	Pale purple (usually dyed)
Vibe	Dessert-core, cozy, dreamy	Bubble tea classic

🌈 why everyone’s obsessed

Let’s be real — ube hits different. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and hella photogenic. Whether it’s in your latte or your croissant, it adds a pop of color and flavor that feels fresh and familiar at the same time.

At Ubatcha, we love pairing ube with matcha — because sweet & earthy is the collab we never knew we needed.

🛒 wanna try ube the cute way?

Check out our Ubatcha ube collection and taste the hype — spoon, sip or swirl it your way.