Matcha has never been just a drink for people, especially Gen Z, as they have made it their entire personality. The Japanese green powder has been ruling our feeds since last summer, making itself a must-have in iced lattes, desserts, savouries, and even skincare! But this summer, a new colour and flavour is quietly replacing matcha: ube. So, before everyone gives you FOMO by obsessing over an ube latte, here’s what you should know.

What is an ube?

Currently, ube-based drinks look like a new Gen Z trend. But it’s been around for ages and has just become popular. Ube is a purple yam from the Philippines that’s been a staple in desserts like ube halaya (a rich, jam-based dessert), cakes, and ice creams. Ube is not totally alien to India either. We’ve had our own versions of the purple yam, called ratalu or kand, used in Gujarati dishes like undhiyu.

Ube is a starchy root vegetable with a naturally sweet, nutty, slightly vanilla-coconut texture and flavour. What makes it so versatile is how many forms it comes in, from jams, powders, and pastes to extracts and frozen purees. Ube can be used in lattes, cheesecakes, and other desserts and savouries alike. So, if you’re bored of regular tea or coffee, brew some ube to upgrade your beverage game this summer.

How to make an ube latte

You have probably become a pro at making matcha lattes, but now it’s time to nail the art of making this purple drink. All you need is ube powder, a whisk, some warm water, and your preferred milk, tea, or coffee. Add some honey to please your sweet tooth, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an ube expert.

Iced ube boba latte recipe

Ingredients:

1.5 tbsp ube powder, store-bought

3 tbsp warm water

1 cup regular water

1/2 cup milk (soy, almond, coconut, or any milk of your choice)

1/2 cup strongly brewed black tea or black coffee, chilled

Honey to taste

1/4 cup tapioca boba pearls

4-5 ice cubes

Method:

Boil some regular water in a pot and add tapioca boba pearls. Heat them for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly until bouncy and chewy. Once done, drain and rinse them lightly, and soak the boba pearls in honey to keep them glossy and sweet. You can refrigerate the boiled pearls for 7-10 minutes. In a bowl, mix ube powder with warm water until smooth and lump-free. In a glass, add the ube mixture, milk, chilled black tea or black coffee, boba pearls, and honey. Stir the mixture well. Add some ice cubes, and the iced ube boba tea is ready to be served.

Warm ube latte recipe

Ingredients:

1.5 tbsp ube powder

4 tbsp warm water

1 shot espresso

1 cup milk

Honey to taste

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

In a bowl, mix ube powder with warm water until smooth and lump-free. Add vanilla extract and sugar, then mix well. Heat some milk in a saucepan until warm, without bringing it to a boil. Froth the milk in your preferred way to get a café-style texture. In a mug, pour the ube mixture and espresso shot, then mix well. Slowly add the hot milk on top and stir it gently. Enjoy the ube latte warm with your favourite cookie or brownie.

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