What is ube? Everything you need to know about the trendy purple yam

Have you seen purple desserts floating around Instagram? Have you stumbled upon a recipe for a strange and ultra-colorful Filipino cake? Welcome to the world of ube.

In this comprehensive article, discover what ube is, its origins, its benefits, where to buy it in France (online or in stores), how to cook it, and what utensils to use to get started.

What exactly is ube?

Ube , also spelled ube , is a variety of purple yam (Dioscorea alata) native to Southeast Asia, very popular in the Philippines . It is not a purple sweet potato, although confusion is common.

Natural color : a deep, vibrant purple
Taste : sweet, subtle, slightly vanilla
Texture : creamy once cooked, ideal for mash, cakes or jams

Where does ube come from?

Cultivated for centuries in tropical regions of Asia, ube is at the heart of many traditional Filipino recipes, such as:

• Halaya (ube jam)

• Halo-halo (frozen dessert)

• Ubé cakes (soft purple cakes)

In recent years, ube has become a global food trend, particularly in the United States, before making its appearance in France in creative kitchens and specialty grocery stores.

The benefits of ube

Ube isn't just beautiful, it's also good for your health :

• Powerful antioxidants (anthocyanins)

• Dietary fiber : good digestion

• Rich in minerals : potassium, iron, magnesium

• Moderate glycemic index : perfect for more balanced sweet recipes

To discover all the health benefits of Ubé, I recommend this blog: https://belledube.fr/

The disadvantages of ube

Let's be honest, not everything is perfect in the purple world of ube:

• Hard to find fresh in France

• Sometimes confused with other purple tubers (notably the Okinawan sweet potato)

• Can be expensive depending on the format (powder, puree, whole)

• Requires long preparation if purchased raw

How to cook ube? (quick guide)

If you find fresh ube:

1. Peel and cut the tuber (be careful, it's tough).

2. Cook it in water or steam for 30-40 minutes.

3. Blend into a fine purée.

If you buy a processed product:

• Puree : ready to add to recipes.

• Flour : perfect for pastries, pancakes, waffles.

• Jam (halaya) : to spread or use as a garnish.

Easy recipes with ube

• Ubé halaya (Filipino jam)

• Soft ube cake

• Purple crinkle cookies

• Ube latte (ultra Instagrammable hot drink)

• Ube crepes or pancakes

• Homemade ube ice cream

What utensils are needed to prepare ube?

• Sturdy knife for cutting raw tubers: our selection of knives is here !

• Steamer or large saucepan : your happiness here or here or even here !

• A potato masher or vegetable mill : here!

• Baking molds (if you're trying your hand at ube cakes): here!

Why try ube in cooking?

• Because it is beautiful , good , original , and gives a real visual signature to your dishes.

• Because it changes from classic ingredients.

• Because it provides softness and balance without additives or colorings.

Have fun in the kitchen with Ubé, but always with high-quality kitchen utensils selected from Amphitria !