Two purple ingredients… but not the same
At first glance, they look similar: a beautiful, deep purple color, a soft texture once cooked, and an increasingly common presence on our plates. However, ube and purple sweet potatoes are two different foods , often mistakenly confused.
What is ube?
Ube (pronounced "ou-bé") is a purple yam native to the Philippines , scientifically called Dioscorea Alata . It is mainly used in traditional Filipino desserts like halaya, ice cream, or lattes.
Its taste? Subtle, sweet, with notes of vanilla and hazelnut .
Its color is naturally very intense , which makes it an ingredient that is as aesthetic as it is tasty.
And the purple sweet potato?
The purple sweet potato (often of the Okinawa or Stokes variety) originates from America or Asia, but has nothing to do with a yam .
It has a more earthy and sweet taste, a denser texture, and a duller color when cooked. It is often used in purees, fries or chips, but much less in desserts .
Ube vs. Purple Sweet Potato: The Comparison
| Criteria | Ube (Dioscorea Alata) | Purple Sweet Potato |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical family | Yam (Dioscorea) | Sweet potato (Ipomoea) |
| Origin | Philippines / Southeast Asia | United States / Japan |
| Taste | Vanilla, hazelnut, sweet | Earthy, sweet, neutral |
| Texture after cooking | Smooth, soft, creamy | Dense, sometimes floury |
| Color | Bright and stable purple | Paler purple / bluish |
| Traditional use | Desserts, lattes, pastries | Savory dishes, purees, chips |
| Price / Rarity | Rarer, often imported | More common, local or organic |
Why do some people sell sweet potatoes instead of ube?
Simple: it's cheaper . On some sites, you can find "purple powders" sold as ube when it's actually colored sweet potato , or even mixtures with food coloring.
At Ube & Chill , we have chosen transparency and authenticity :
✅ 100% Ube
✅ Inspired by the Philippines
✅ Zero coloring, zero added sugar
How to recognize real ube powder?
Some clues:
-
Intense color , almost lavender once dissolved
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Unique fragrance , between vanilla and hazelnut
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Fine texture , easy to mix in drinks
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Smooth and natural taste, never artificial
In summary
Ube is not a purple sweet potato, although their color can be confusing.
If you want to savor the real Filipino taste experience , always look for "Dioscorea Alata" in the ingredient list.