Is ube sweet potato? This is one question that a lot of people have been asking. While some people think of ube as just another sweet potato, it is actually more than what meets the eye.
So is ube sweet potato? Ube is most certainly not a sweet potato. Ube is actually a type of tuber root called the ube, which is native to the Philippines. The tuber root of this plant has a dark purple color and is used in different Filipino dishes such as ice cream, jams, cakes, and other desserts.
Ube was first cultivated in Southeast Asia, where it was mainly grown for its tubers by early Austronesians.
Ube – Not A Sweet Potato
Ube is not a sweet potato. The purple yam is an entirely different plant than the sweet potato.
However, ube does come from a family of plants related to sweet potatoes and is even called “the queen of Philippine tubers.”
Ube is the Tagalog word for purple yam. Ube halaya is ube jam made from boiled, mashed ube, coconut milk, and sugar.
It is often used as a filling in many Filipino pastries, cakes, and desserts.
Does Ube Taste Like Sweet Potato?
In Filipino cuisine, the ube is a sweet purple yam. In English, it’s known as a purple yam or Okinawan potato. They look like regular yams but are much smaller, only about the size of an average potato.
Ube tastes nothing like a potato and has a creamy, earthy flavor that makes it perfect for desserts.
Ube can be used in just about anything that you’d use a yam for because of its starchy texture and sweet taste.
It’s often used in traditional Filipino desserts like halo-halo, ice cream, cake, and cookies.
What Is The Difference Between Ube And Sweet Potato?
The difference between ube and sweet potato is that sweet potato is typically orange or white in color, while ube is typically purple.
Here are some other differences:
- Ube has a slightly sweeter and earthier taste than the sweet potato.
- Both ube and sweet potatoes are typically used to make pies, cookies, cakes, and other desserts.
- Ube is locally grown in the Philippines, while sweet potatoes are imported from different countries such as China or Thailand.
- They both taste great with butter or margarine.
- Ube has more potassium than sweet potatoes.
Can Ube Be Eaten Raw?
Ube can be eaten raw, although the texture isn’t as pleasant as ube cooked. The skin should not be eaten because it is quite tough and bitter.
However, cooking ube actually takes away some of its sweetness and can leave it with a slightly bitter taste.
It is recommended to eat ube in moderation because of the high amount of carbohydrates and calories present in this sweet potato.
The easiest way to prepare raw ube is by grating it and mixing it with other ingredients such as coconut milk, evaporated milk, fresh cream, condensed milk, sugar, and even ube ice cream.
Is Ube Naturally Purple?
Yes, Ube is naturally purple. A “bean” is a term for a fruit that consists of seeds inside a pod.
The natural color of Ube is from plant pigments called anthocyanins. The term “Purple Yam” is used to showcase the color of the pigment in Ube’s skins. The color of Ube’s flesh is not purple.
It has more to do with the maturity level of the tuber during harvesting; it ranges between yellow, orange, and purple depending on factors like soil quality and water content.
Ube is not just used for its beautiful color-its flavor can be described as sweet potato meets garbanzo bean.
Is Ube Bad For You?
Ube or purple yam is not harmful to you at all! Actually, this superfood which has recently gained an international following, may be very beneficial because of its high nutritional value.
Ube has extraordinary health benefits. Here are a few of them:
- Helps prevent constipation – this is because it’s high in dietary fiber that keeps bowel movement regular, which would keep the colon healthy and clean.
- Keeps teeth strong – this is because ube contains calcium. This mineral can help prevent tooth decay.
- Helps prevent cancer – this is because ube contains an antioxidant known as anthocyanin. Anthocyanins have been found to stop the development of cancer cells.
- Aids in weight loss – this is because it has low caloric value, and the dietary fiber keeps you satiated for a long time.
- Controls high blood pressure – high dietary fiber helps regulate the digestive system.
Is Ube Good For Weight Loss?
Yes, it’s very healthy food to eat and good for your weight loss journey. If consumed in the right amount, there are no negative effects for this tasty fruit.
Also known as purple yam, ube is one of Filipino’s favorite kinds of food. It has a versatile flavor that can perfectly blend with any dish.
Ube has plenty of health benefits. It’s high in fiber, reduces cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, and helps with weight loss.
Is Ube A Carb?
Yes, it has a high amount of carbohydrates, so people who are on a diet should take note.
Ube is rich in carbohydrates but still considered a healthy food because it contains fiber which slows down the process of digestion and absorption of sugar into the bloodstream preventing insulin spikes that lead to weight gain.
It also reduces cholesterol levels which helps prevent heart disease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ube is not a sweet potato. Ube is a type of root vegetable. Sweet potatoes are not roots but stem and leaves. They’re different plants and should be treated as such.
