We’ve all heard of sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, and yams — but you might be unfamiliar with ube. Ube is a purple yam originating from the Philippines. It’s the star ingredient of many favorite snacks and dishes, such as ice cream and macarons. 

Great, so what exactly is ube?

Ube is the Tagalog word for “tuber” and is different from a purple potato. It has a sweeter vanilla flavor, making it a popular ingredient for dessert-style treats and jams. You may have seen ube flavored ice cream on your latest Trader Joe’s run, and this is why! 

What are the health benefits of ube? 

Eating the rainbow packs powerful health benefits, and the purple hue associated with ube is no exception. The unmistakable color of ube indicates the presence of various anthocyanins, deep pigments that have anti-inflammatory properties.

In 3.5 ounces of ube, you can find 12 mg of vitamin C, as well as calcium, iron, and vitamin A. As a complex carb source, ube also provides prebiotic fiber, which aids in the production of healthy gut bacteria and overall support of immune system function. 

Ube can be a great addition to your diet since it contains impressive antioxidants and gut health-promoting properties!

How to try ube

Sold on trying this purple yam? There are numerous ways to incorporate it into your diet! You can turn to whole ube or use ube powder in your favorite sweet dishes (think pancakes, waffles, or baked goods). Or, opt for a store-bought option at your local Trader Joe’s (think ube-flavored ice cream)! 

Ultimately, the ube possibilities are endless — and with the holidays quickly approaching, ‘tis the season for experimenting with all the baked good variations!