Frequently asked questions about ube

Everything you need to know about ube and our Kinampay powder. A question we haven't answered? Write to us at contact@ube-time.com.

Discovering ube

What is ube?
Ube (pronounced “oo-beh”) is a purple yam grown for centuries in the Philippines, where it is an iconic dessert ingredient. It is neither a potato nor a taro: it is a root with naturally purple flesh and a sweet taste.
How do you pronounce “ube”?
It is said “oo-beh”. Its scientific name is Dioscorea alata.
What does ube taste like?
Sweet and indulgent, often compared to a blend of vanilla and hazelnut. Ube is less vegetal and less bitter than matcha, which makes it easy to pair with milk, fruit and desserts. It is also naturally caffeine-free.
Why is ube purple? Is it natural?
Yes, 100%. Its purple colour comes from anthocyanins, the natural pigments also found in blueberries and red cabbage. Our powder colours your creations without any dye.
Is ube a vegetable or a starch?
It is a tuber, so a starchy food: it provides carbohydrates and fibre, a bit like sweet potato, but with a milder taste and a naturally purple colour.
Does ube contain caffeine?
No, ube is naturally caffeine-free. Perfect to enjoy at any time of day, even in the evening.
Where does ube grow?
Mainly in the Philippines, where it has been grown for centuries. The most prized variety, Kinampay, comes from the island of Bohol.
What is the difference between ube and taro?
They are often confused, but everything sets them apart. Taro has almost white flesh and a neutral taste; ube has naturally purple flesh and a sweet, vanilla flavour. More on Ube or taro.
What is the difference between ube and purple sweet potato?
Two different plants, both naturally purple. Ube is a yam with a softer, more vanilla taste; the purple sweet potato (Okinawa type) has a distinct texture and flavour. See Ube or purple sweet potato.
What is the difference between ube and matcha?
Two colourful stars that everything separates: matcha is green, vegetal, bitter and contains caffeine; ube is purple, sweet, vanilla-like and caffeine-free. Full comparison on Ube or matcha.
Is ube used in Filipino cuisine?
Yes, ube is a pillar of Filipino desserts: ube halaya (ube jam), halo-halo, ensaymada, pandesal, puto and more. It is an ingredient of celebration and sharing.

Benefits and nutrition

Is ube good for you?
Ube is a natural food, rich in fibre and in anthocyanins (natural antioxidants), and low in fat. We stay factual and make no health promises.
What are the nutritional values?
Ube mainly provides carbohydrates and fibre, little fat, and no added sugar in our powder. Detailed figures on Ube nutritional values.
Does ube contain antioxidants?
Yes. Its purple colour comes from anthocyanins, natural antioxidant pigments, the same as in blueberries and red cabbage.
Is ube high in fibre?
Yes, like most tubers, ube is a good source of fibre.
Does ube make you gain weight?
Our pure powder adds no sugar or fat. The calorie content of your drink mainly depends on the milk and sweetener you add.
Is ube suitable for a specific diet?
The powder is vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free. Ube remains a carbohydrate-rich starch: for a specific medical diet (diabetes, etc.), ask a health professional for advice.

Our powder and its quality

Where does your ube come from?
From the Kinampay variety, the most prized, grown in Bohol in the Philippines. It is dried and then finely ground to preserve its aroma and its natural purple colour.
What is Kinampay?
Kinampay is the most sought-after ube variety, renowned for its fragrance and intense colour. It is the one we have selected. See Kinampay.
What does your powder contain?
A single ingredient: 100% pure Kinampay ube. No sugar, no dye, no flavouring, no preservative.
Is your ube vegan, gluten-free and additive-free?
Yes. Our powder is 100% ube: vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and free from any additive. See Is ube vegan and gluten-free.
Is your powder halal and GMO-free?
Yes, our powder is halal and GMO-free. It is simply pure ube.
Is there any added sugar?
None. The powder is simply pure ube. Its slight natural sweetness comes from the root itself. You add the sweetener you like, or none at all.
Does it contain allergens?
The powder contains a single ingredient, ube: gluten-free and lactose-free. Full information is on the pouch label.
Pure powder or latte mix: what is the difference?
Many “ube latte mixes” are mostly sugar and flavourings with little ube. Our powder is 100% pure ube: you control the sugar and the taste. See Pure powder or mix.
Ube powder or ube extract/flavouring?
Extracts and flavourings imitate the taste, often artificially. Our powder is the real ube, whole and natural. See Natural ube, extract and flavouring.
How should I store ube powder?
Away from air, moisture and light, in its resealable pouch. No fridge needed. See How to store ube powder.
How long does it keep?
Well stored, the powder keeps for up to 24 months. The exact date is on your pouch.
How many cups per pouch?
A 100 g pouch makes around 20 lattes, or one teaspoon per cup.

Uses and recipes

How do I make an ube latte?
One teaspoon of powder, a little hot water to dissolve without lumps, then hot or cold milk. Ready in 2 minutes. Full recipe on Ube latte.
Ube latte, hot or iced?
Both! Hot for a cosy moment, iced over ice for summer. The same powder works either way.
How do I dose the powder?
About one teaspoon per cup for a latte, more or less depending on the intensity you want. Our benchmarks on Dosing ube.
How do I avoid lumps?
Always dissolve the powder in a little hot liquid before adding the rest. A whisk or milk frother gives a perfectly smooth texture.
Which milk should I choose?
All work. Oat and coconut give a lovely creaminess, almond a lighter taste. Comparison on Which milk for an ube latte.
Can I cook and bake with it?
Absolutely. Cheesecake, cookies, ice cream, pancakes, brioches: one spoon naturally colours and flavours your desserts. Ideas on Ube recipes.
How much for a cake?
Usually 2 to 4 tablespoons of powder for a cake, depending on the colour and taste intensity you want.
Can I use it in a smoothie, yogurt or porridge?
Yes, one spoon is enough to colour and flavour a smoothie, a bowl of yogurt, porridge or overnight oats.
Can I make ube halaya with the powder?
Yes. With powder, condensed milk and coconut milk, you get a delicious homemade ube halaya. See The ube halaya guide.
How do I get a really intense purple?
Increase the dose slightly and use a light milk (oat, almond). Our colour tips on Getting the purple right.
Does the colour hold up to cooking?
Purple can shift slightly with heat depending on the recipe's pH. Our tips on Cooking and the colour of ube.
What pairs well with ube?
Ube loves vanilla, coconut, white chocolate, nuts and coffee. See Flavour pairings.
Can I give it to children?
Yes, ube is a natural, caffeine-free food that the whole family enjoys.

Order, delivery and payment

Do you deliver to my country?
Yes, we ship all over Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria and more). The store is available in 7 languages.
What are the delivery times?
Your order ships within 48 h. Transit time then depends on the method chosen (home or pickup point) and your country.
Is delivery free?
Delivery is free from 30 EUR. Below that, the cost is shown at checkout.
What payment methods do you accept?
The main secure payment methods are available at checkout (bank card and express payments).
Is payment secure?
Yes. Payment is fully encrypted and secure. Your bank details are never stored by us.
Can I track my order?
Yes. As soon as it ships, you receive an email with your parcel tracking.
Do you deliver outside Europe?
We currently ship within Europe. For another destination, write to us at contact@ube-time.com.
Are there customs fees?
Within the European Union, there are no customs fees. For Switzerland, local import charges may apply.
How do I use a promo code?
Enter your code in the field provided at checkout; the discount applies right away.

Subscription, returns and contact

How does the subscription work?
You receive your powder every month, with an automatic discount on every delivery, and you never run out. There is no commitment.
Can I manage, postpone or cancel the subscription?
Yes, from your customer account, at any time and free of charge: you can skip a delivery, postpone it or stop everything.
What is your return policy?
You have 14 days to make a return. See our refund policy.
What if my order is damaged or not received?
Write to us at contact@ube-time.com with your order number: we will find a solution quickly.
Do you have an offer for professionals?
Yes. Cafés, bakeries, ice cream shops and restaurants get tailored pricing and support. Discover our professional offer.
Who is behind Ube Time?
Ube Time is a brand published in France by JOBS LAB, dedicated to the purest possible ube, with no compromise on colour or taste.
How do I contact you?
By email at contact@ube-time.com, or via our Contact page. We are happy to help.