I understand (from a quick Google search) that Ube is a purple yam that is sweet and used in desserts. It seems to have grown in popularity recently. What exactly is the Ube doing in the latte? Is it like an added flavouring? How is it in liquid form? Sorry if I sound ignorant, I’ve never come across it before, let alone tasted it or cooked with it.
I’m with you on this. I’m very curious and somewhat intrigued
Our local asian grocery sells an ube extract (similar to vanilla extract). You can mix that in your milk directly before steaming for color and flavor. I made an ube simple syrup for my wife’s iced lattes.
Ube is super trendy in the US right now, seen it in at least a dozen coffee shops, it Instagrams well since people love purple.
Ok, that’s interesting to know. I would like to try it, to see what it tastes like. In OP’s picture it looks like the ube is not mixed in the milk, but in fact mixed with the espresso, as the white of the milk is visible between the purple of the espresso/ube?
Good point!
Yam vs Sweet Potoes = it’s whole thing
Ube is a purple yam from the Philippines that is used is many different recipes, especially desserts. Sweet potatoes are pretty popular in Japan, as well as many Asian countries (most of the world though TBH). I DID find it interesting that OP mentioned his wife being Japanese and adding Ube, as I said before, it’s usually associated with Philippines. BUT there is the Purple sweet potato (I grew up calling it Okinawan Sweet Potatoes). For more light reading: https://themamareport.com/exploring-the-sweet-tastes-of-ube-and-okinawan-sweet-potatoes/
As far as popularity… I think a lot of Asian things are gaining popularity as a whole. With KPop and JPop, anime, tiktok, skincare, etc, things get out and go “viral”
Mmmmm… Red onion…
