If you’ve been seeing bright purple desserts and drinks all over social media lately, you’re not imagining it; UBE is having a moment. Big names like Starbucks and other major coffee chains have already started experimenting with ube drinks and seasonal specials. At the same time, influencers and bakers are using ube in everything from soft cakes to cookies and mochi, creating content that’s getting thousands (sometimes millions) of views. And for retailers, that’s exactly the kind of momentum you want to step into early.
Read to learn what exactly ube is, how ube is used in drinks, and how Beagley Copperman is your leading wholesaler for everything ube!
Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a purple yam that comes from the Philippines. It looks like a potato but has a striking purple color that isn’t artificial; it comes straight from the root itself. Ube has been used for generations in traditional Filipino desserts. One of the most traditional uses is ube halaya a sweet, creamy jam that’s often used in cakes, pastries, and spreads, but it is now gaining popularity across Europe and beyond. What makes ube special is not just its origin, but also its natural, vibrant purple color and its ability to transform simple products into something out of the ordinary that tastes delicious!
One of the reasons ube is growing so fast in popularity is its unique yet approachable flavor. Ube is naturally sweet, creamy, and slightly nutty. Many people describe it as a mix of vanilla with a soft, white chocolate taste. It’s not too strong or overwhelming, which makes it easy for customers to enjoy, even if they are trying it for the first time. This balance is exactly why ube works so well in both drinks and desserts.
One of the biggest reasons ube is trending is its super versatility. It looks premium and exciting but is surprisingly easy to use. A popular Filipino way to serve ube is as “halaya Ube." To make it, you boil the ube, mash it, and then cook it with condensed milk, evaporated milk, and sugar. Ube ingredients can also be used in:
Ube flavoring and ube jam add a signature purple color and soft, sweet flavor to cakes and pastries. They make products feel richer and more premium, especially in dessert items like ice cream, where ube flavoring transforms vanilla into striking ube ice cream. Ube jam adds a swirl or topping for a layered effect, enhancing both taste and appearance.
Drinks are where ube shines. With Ube powder and syrup, easily create ube lattes, iced ube milk, or mix with coffee and matcha. Syrup blends smoothly into milk drinks for quick, consistent flavor. Ube’s vibrant purple color draws attention and acts as natural marketing.
For businesses that want to go a step further, grated ube is a great option. This gives you a more authentic base to work with. It can be used to make traditional-style desserts, fillings, or even your own in-house version of ube jam. Grated ube adds a great texture and richness that customers commonly include with handmade, premium products. It’s ideal if you want to offer something less “standard” in your store. For Filipino consumers in Europe, it offers a real taste of home, familiar flavors and products they grew up with. At the same time, it gives European customers something new and exciting to discover, especially those who are curious about global flavors and authentic food experiences.
At Beagley Copperman, a leading wholesaler of premium Ube products that help retailers stay ahead of trends. Our ube range makes it easy to start working with this flavor right away, without complicated preparation. We offer sweet, authentic Buenas ube spread, grated ube, and Ubeness flavoring. These are perfect for making cakes, pastries, fillings, and desserts. If you want ready-to-sell products, we’ve got you covered too. We stock Kaoriya ube mochi and Regent mochi, which are great for quick snacks and easy shelf additions.
For drinks, our Terifico syrup makes it super simple to create ube lattes. And for desserts, you can offer Melona ube ice cream and Manong Sorbetero ice cream. These are perfect if you want something eye-catching and ready to go. The best part? You can serve two types of customers at once, Filipino customers who are looking for a taste of home, and European customers who want to try something new and trendy.
Be among the first to introduce ube's vibrant color and flavor to your customers! Bring ube into your assortment now and give your customers something fresh, exciting, and unforgettable. Contact us today to start by offering trending ube products in your store or café.
