Purple yam is the same as ube — "ube" is simply the Filipino name for purple yam (Dioscorea alata). Our purple yam powder is 100% pure dried purple yam: naturally purple, no sugar, no coloring, no flavoring.
Purple yam powder is made by drying and milling fresh purple yam — the vividly purple tuber known in the Philippines as ube (Dioscorea alata). One kilogram of powder concentrates several kilograms of fresh yam, which is why a small amount delivers a deep purple color and a full, dessert-like flavor.
Because fresh purple yam is hard to find and spoils quickly outside Asia, powder is the most practical format for cafés, bakers, and home cooks in Europe. It dissolves into warm milk for lattes and folds straight into batters, creams, and ice cream bases.
Curious how it tastes? Think vanilla, white chocolate, and pistachio — read the full ube flavor profile.
Three purple-ish roots, three very different ingredients. If you're searching for that famous purple latte or dessert color, purple yam (ube) is the one you want:
| Purple yam (ube) | Taro | Purple sweet potato | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dioscorea alata | Colocasia esculenta | Ipomoea batatas |
| Color inside | Deep, vivid purple | White with purple specks | Purple, often duller |
| Taste | Sweet, creamy, vanilla-pistachio | Earthy, nutty, barely sweet | Pronounced caramel sweetness |
| Famous for | Ube latte, ube halaya, purple desserts | Taro bubble tea, savory dishes | Roasted dishes, Okinawan cuisine |
More detail on the most common mix-up? Read ube vs taro.
Lattes & drinks. Whisk a teaspoon of purple yam powder into warm milk with a little sweetener for the famous purple latte — naturally caffeine-free. Follow our ube latte recipe.
Baking & desserts. Fold the powder into cookies, cheesecake, pancakes, or ice cream for natural purple color and a soft vanilla-nutty flavor. See baking with ube and the ube ice cream recipe.
Breakfast. A small scoop colors smoothie bowls, overnight oats, and yogurt — no artificial coloring needed.
Big Moca imports purple yam directly and mills it into 100% pure powder — nothing added. We ship from the Netherlands across Europe.
100% pure purple yam powder, imported directly and milled without additives. Barista-grade and bake-proof.
New to ube? Start with what is ube? and what does ube taste like?