From purple yam to coffee drink

Ube is a yam from tropical Asia with the botanical name Dioscorea alata. The purple varieties are especially known from Filipino cuisine and have a soft, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor. A basic Ube Latte consists of ube and milk, and therefore does not automatically contain coffee; if you add espresso, the drink is often called a Dirty Ube Latte.

Anyone looking at new coffee drinks lately can hardly miss ube. Its striking purple color appears in hot lattes, iced drinks, matcha, cold foam, and increasingly alongside espresso. As a result, ube sometimes seems like a completely new coffee trend, while the ingredient itself is anything but new.

That’s precisely what makes ube interesting. Behind the color is an edible yam that has held a place in Filipino cuisine for generations. The international coffee world has now built a modern drink form around it. For someone with an espresso machine, an interesting question then arises: what happens when you combine such a soft Ube Latte with a real espresso?

To understand this properly, it helps to first know what ube exactly is, what kind of powder you are buying, and why one purple mix can be very different from another.

Paarse Ube yam Dioscorea alata naast Ube-poeder

An old ingredient in a new drink

While the popularity of purple lattes is new, Ube itself is not. The tuber has been eaten in Asia for much longer and holds a distinct culinary and cultural place, especially in the Philippines.

What is Ube and where does it come from?

Paarse ube, taro en paarse zoete aardappel naast elkaar met de botanische namen Dioscorea alata, Colocasia esculenta en Ipomoea batatas.

Not everything purple is Ube

Ube is regularly confused with taro and purple sweet potato. They may look similar in drinks, but botanically and in terms of taste, they are different plants.

Is ube the same as taro or purple sweet potato?

Ube, taro, and purple sweet potato are easily confused online. That's understandable when you're just looking at a photo of a purple latte, but they are three different ingredients.

Ube is Dioscorea alataand belongs to the yam family. Its flavor is relatively mild and is often described as slightly sweet, creamy, nutty, and somewhat vanilla-like.

Taro is Colocasia esculenta.Its flesh is often light in color and may have purple specks. Taro has a more earthy and starchy character. The vibrant purple taro drinks you know from bubble tea shops therefore do not always owe their color exclusively to the taro itself.

Purple sweet potato is Ipomoea batatas.Botanically, it is not a yam. Purple sweet potato can also have a deep color, but generally tastes distinctly sweeter and more like sweet potato.

If you specifically want to experience the ube flavor, check the packaging for the botanical name Dioscorea alata. This is more reliable than just relying on words like "purple," "yam flavor," or the color of the packaging.

Alt-tekst: Vier paarse Ube-dranken naast elkaar: Ube Latte, Dirty Ube Latte, Ube Matcha en Ube Latte met paarse cold foam.

Why is Ube suddenly everywhere?

International interest in Ube has grown rapidly in a short time. The color draws attention, but the mild taste and the ability to combine Ube with very different drink styles also play an important role.

Why is Ube so popular in coffee shops now?

Ube has a quality that few coffee ingredients can match: you see the drink before you taste it. In a transparent glass, purple Ube milk creates a striking contrast with white milk, ice, and dark brown espresso. This makes iced drinks, in particular, exceptionally photogenic.

At the same time, the taste is approachable. While matcha can clearly taste grassy, earthy, and sometimes bitter, Ube is generally softer. Its slight sweetness, nutty notes, and association with vanilla are easy to combine with milk.

The international coffee world is now fully experimenting with it. Major coffee chains and independent cafes introduced variations in 2026 including vanilla, coconut, espresso, matcha, and Ube cold foam. Combinations with hojichaare also appearing. Hojicha is roasted Japanese green tea and has a much browner, roasted, and nutty flavor profile than matcha, making it surprisingly logical alongside Ube.

The current attention is therefore broader than just one purple latte. Ube is developing into a flavor component with which cafes are building various hot and cold drinks.

The increasing interest is now so significant that production and export from the Philippines are also being further organized to keep up with international demand. This means Ube has clearly moved beyond the stage of a single social media photo.

Twee kommen met 100% puur Ube-poeder en Ube-lattemix naast elkaar, met Ube-verpakkingen en ingrediënteninformatie op de achtergrond.

Look beyond the purple color

In addition to our unique expertise in the field of circular economy, we are also experienced in the field of recycling of various materials and components, for example within our own waste sorting installation. For example, we separate and recycle materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and textiles.

100% Ube powder or Ube latte mix: what's the difference?

For 100% pure Ube powder, you should ideally only see Dioscorea alataor purple yam on the ingredient list. You then decide how much milk and sweetness to add yourself. This makes pure powder interesting when you want to discover how Ube itself tastes and when you want to accurately play with the ratio between Ube and espresso.

Always check the preparation instructions. Some Ube powders are specially processed for direct use in drinks and only need to be stirred smooth with warm water. Other dehydrated Ube products first need to be soaked or cooked. The manufacturer's instructions are therefore leading.

An Ube latte mixis easier and often quicker to prepare. Such a mix can contain not only Ube, but also sugar, glucose syrup, coconut fat, milk components, flavorings, stabilizers, or colorants. This does not have to prevent a delicious latte, but you have less influence on the final taste and sweetness.

Therefore, read three things before buying:

  • Is Dioscorea alatalisted among the ingredients?
  • How high is sugar on the ingredient list?
  • Are flavorings or colorants added?

For the recipes below, a fine, beverage-suitable 100% Ube powderis the starting point. If you use a latte mix, follow the manufacturer's dosage.

Transparant glas met gelaagde Iced Dirty Ube Latte, verse espresso en herkenbare halfautomatische espressomachine op de achtergrond.

Ube and espresso demand balance

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How do you use Ube with a Sage, ECM, Lelit or La Marzocco?

With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you don't have to change your normal espresso routine for Dirty Ube. Just keep Ube out of the machine's internal workings.

First, make a smooth Ube base in a separate glass or pitcher. Then, pull your espresso as you normally would and use the steam wand for the milk. Only combine the different components in the glass.

Never put Ube powder or a latte mix in the water reservoir or the portafilter. Even for the steam wand, plain milk is the most practical choice. Ube contains starch, and a latte mix can also contain sugar. If this dries onto a hot steam tip, you will make cleaning unnecessarily difficult.

For Dirty Ube, 18 grams of ground coffee to about 36 grams of espressois a good starting point. This is a ratio of about 1:2: from 18 grams of dry coffee, you get about 36 grams of liquid. See this as a starting point, not as a fixed rule for every coffee bean.

The coffee itself makes a big difference. Ube has a relatively subtle flavor, so a very dark and bitter espresso can easily overpower it. A medium roast coffee with chocolate, caramel, and nut notes is a logical first test. The Guatemala coffee beans with chocolate, nut, and caramel notesare a concrete example of this.

A very light, fruity espresso can also work, but the higher perceived freshness and acidity clearly change the combination. Therefore, start with a well-rounded espresso and then taste what more or less coffee does with the Ube.

View coffee drinks and ratios
Drie geribbelde glazen naast elkaar met een warme Ube Latte, warme Dirty Ube Latte en gelaagde Iced Dirty Ube Latte.

Three basic recipes to start with

The recipes are built around a drink of approximately 300 ml. Use fine Ube powder that, according to the packaging, is suitable for direct drink preparation, and only then adjust one component at a time.

Check out the 350 ml iced coffee glass

Making Ube Latte and Dirty Ube Latte: Exact Base Recipes

1. Ube Latte without coffee

Use:

  • 5 g 100% Ube powder
  • 25 ml warm water
  • 230 ml full-fat milk or a milk substitute
  • optional 7 ml vanilla syrup

First, mix 5 grams of Ube with 25 ml of warm water to create a smooth, lump-free base. Heat and froth 230 ml of milk. Mix the Ube base with the milk and taste the drink first without extra sweetness.

If you want a softer, sweeter cafe-style, add about 7 ml of Torani PureMade Vanilla.

This drink contains no espresso and is therefore naturally coffee-free. The Ube itself also contains no caffeine.

2. Hot Dirty Ube Latte

Use:

  • 5 g 100% Ube powder
  • 25 ml warm water
  • 18 g ground coffee
  • approximately 36 g espresso
  • 190 ml milk
  • optional 7 ml vanilla syrup

First, make the Ube base with the warm water. Then brew approximately 36 grams of espresso from 18 grams of ground coffee.

Steam 190 ml of milk to a fine, creamy texture. Baristas often call this fine foam microfoam: small air bubbles that keep the milk shiny and fluid.

Mix Ube and espresso, then add the milk. Taste first without syrup. If you find the espresso too dominant, reduce the amount of espresso in the next preparation before automatically adding more Ube or sugar.

3. Iced Dirty Ube Latte

Use:

  • 5 g 100% Ube powder
  • 25 ml warm water
  • 160 ml cold milk
  • approximately 80 g ice
  • 18 g ground coffee
  • approximately 36 g espresso
  • optional 7 ml vanilla syrup

Smooth out the Ube base and pour it into the bottom of a transparent iced coffee glass of approximately 350 ml. Add the cold milk and then the ice.

Brew the espresso separately. Then slowly pour it on top of the milk. This way, the purple Ube layer, the milk, and the dark espresso remain visible at first.

Stir the drink before drinking. The color will then naturally become less vibrant: purple Ube, white milk, and brown espresso mix into a muted lilac-brown hue. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the Ube; it is simply what happens when the layers come together.

Are you using a ready-made Ube latte mix?

Use the amount of powder recommended by the manufacturer for one serving. If you are making a Dirty Ube, do not automatically add 36 grams of espresso on top of the full milk recipe. Reduce the milk by approximately the same amount so that the total drink remains around the same volume.

Also, first check if the mix already contains sugar before adding extra vanilla syrup.

View the iced coffee glass
Ingrediënten voor een Ube Latte op de koffiebar: Ube-poeder, melk, espresso, vanillesiroop, geribbeld glas en digitale weegschaal.

Then make your own ratio

With one fixed basic recipe, you can properly taste what Ube, milk, and espresso each add individually. Then, change one component at a time, so you understand why the drink tastes different.

View Torani Vanilla

What milk, sweetness, and presentation best suit Ube?

Whole Milk

Whole cow's milk provides good body and a neutral creaminess. This allows both Ube and espresso to remain clearly distinguishable. For a warm Dirty Ube, this is a logical starting point if you're using dairy.

Oat Milk

A barista oat milk also provides a good amount of body and often has a natural sweetness. This can reduce the need for extra syrup. The taste remains relatively neutral alongside Ube.

Coconut Milk

Coconut and Ube are often used together. The combination also aligns with the Filipino background of various Ube preparations. However, keep in mind that coconut itself adds a distinct flavor. This will result in a different drink than if you use neutral milk.

Almond Milk

Almond can enhance the nutty side of Ube, but usually provides a lighter texture. How well it froths varies greatly by brand and composition.

How much vanilla?

Start without it. This way, you'll first get to know the Ube itself.

If you then want more sweetness and a clearer dessert-like character, one pump of approximately 7 ml of Torani PureMade Vanillais a logical next experiment. Don't add multiple pumps right away; Ube is subtle, and too much sugar can easily mask its unique character.

What do you need for a complete Dirty Ube?

You can choose the Ube itself from a supplier who clearly states what's in the powder or mix. For the rest, you can build the drink with items you also use for other coffee drinks:

A transparent glass is more than just decoration with Ube. You can clearly see how the drink is built and how the espresso and Ube blend during mixing.

Check out the 350ml latte glass

Frequently Asked Questions about Ube, Ube Latte, and Dirty Ube

Is there coffee in an Ube Latte?

Not standard. An Ube Latte can simply consist of Ube and milk and thus be coffee-free. Some cafés also use the name Ube Latte for a variant with espresso. The naming is not consistent everywhere. The combination of Ube Latte and espresso is often called a Dirty Ube Latte.

What is the difference between Ube and taro?

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Can I put ube powder directly into milk?

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Which coffee pairs well with Dirty Ube?

Start with a medium roast that has notes of chocolate, caramel, or nuts, for example. A very dark espresso can quickly overpower the delicate Ube flavor. A very light and fruity espresso, on the other hand, provides more freshness and can make the combination sharper.

Is Ube healthy?

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I have another question.

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Is ube healthy and worth experimenting with?

As a whole tuber, Ube is primarily a starchy food. Purple Dioscorea alataalso contains natural pigments called anthocyanins. Other plant-based nutrients have also been found in Ube. This makes the original tuber interesting as a food, but it does not automatically mean that every purple Ube Latte is a healthy drink.

The difference lies mainly in what you add to it. With pure Ube powder, you decide how much milk and sugar to use. A pre-made latte mix can already contain a significant amount of sugar. If you then add sweetened milk and several pumps of syrup, the healthy image of the original yam says little about the final drink.

Furthermore, Ube is not a medicine. Research into anthocyanins and other substances in yams is interesting, but many potential health benefits have not yet been firmly demonstrated in humans.

For a coffee lover, the greatest value therefore lies elsewhere: Ube gives you a whole new ingredient with which you can discover what ratiodoes. Without espresso, you taste the Ube more clearly. With one espresso, a more roasted coffee character emerges. With more milk, the drink becomes milder. Vanilla makes it sweeter and rounder. Coconut takes it in a different direction again.

Once you understand how espresso, milk, and quantity together determine the taste, you can apply that principle to cappuccino, flat white, latte, and many other drinks. In Coffee Drinks and Ratiosyou can explore this further.

Learn how the ratio of espresso, milk, and other ingredients determines what you ultimately taste in the glass.

Learn to build coffee drinks better
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Transparant glas met gelaagde Iced Dirty Ube Latte, verse espresso en herkenbare halfautomatische espressomachine op de achtergrond.

☕ What is Ube? How to Make Ube Latte and Dirty Ube Latte

Ube is striking primarily for its intense purple color, but behind that color is an ingredient with a much longer history than the current latte hype suggests. Ube is a yam with the botanical name Dioscorea alata. The tuber is strongly associated with Filipino cuisine, where it has long been used in desserts, ice cream, and ube halaya, among other things.

In coffee shops, ube is now increasingly found as Ube Latte, iced drink, or in combination with espresso. This also causes confusion: an Ube Latte does not automatically contain coffee. If you add espresso, the combination is often called Dirty Ube or Dirty Ube Latte.

For home use, you have several options. You can work with 100% ube powder or with a ready-made latte mix. In both cases, the ratio of ube, milk, and possibly espresso ultimately determines whether you get a soft purple milk drink or a coffee drink where the espresso remains clearly present.

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