Have you ever seen those purple lattes on Instagram and wondered what they were? They're ube — a purple yam native to the Philippines — and the good news is you can make them at home in under 5 minutes.
No need to be a barista. No need for an espresso machine. Just a spoonful of ube powder, hot milk, and you get a creamy, naturally colored drink, without caffeine and without added sugar.
We'll explain everything.
The ube (pronounce «"ou-bé"») is a purple yam — Dioscorea alata — traditionally cultivated in the Philippines. An emblem of Filipino cuisine, it can be found in desserts, cakes, ice creams and of course lattes.
Its intense purple color is 100% natural: it comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in blueberries and red cabbage.
Its taste? Subtle and delicate — a touch of vanilla, a note from hazelnut, with a natural sweetness that never overpowers other flavors.
💡 UbeDelyss tip: barista oat milk is our favorite — it foams well and its natural sweetness pairs perfectly with ube.
Step 1 — Prepare the base mixture Pour the UbeDelyss powder into your mug or a small bowl. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot milk and mix vigorously until you obtain a smooth, lump-free paste. This step is important—it ensures the powder dissolves completely.
Step 2 — Heat the milk Heat the remaining milk in a small saucepan over low heat, without letting it boil. Ideally between 65° and 70°C — this is the perfect temperature for frothing without burning the milk proteins.
Step 3 — Lather Use an electric milk frother, a hand whisk, or even a sealed jar that you shake vigorously. Froth until you obtain a nice, creamy, and dense foam.
Step 4 — Assemble Pour the ube mixture into your cup. Gently add the hot milk, sliding it along a spoon to preserve the foam. Spoon the foam on top.
Step 5 — Finishing Touches Lightly sprinkle a little UbeDelyss powder over the foam for a neat visual effect. Add agave syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Iced Ube Latte Prepare the base mixture as directed, then let it cool. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour in the cold milk, and then top with the ube mixture. Don't stir it yet—the purple gradient effect is spectacular.
Ube & coconut latte Replace the oat milk with full-fat coconut milk. The richness of the coconut amplifies the sweet notes of the ube for an ultra-creamy, dessert-like result.
Spicy Ube Latte Add a pinch of cardamom and cinnamon to the base mixture. A warm and fragrant combination, perfect for winter.
Can I use UbeDelyss Insta powder instead? Yes, absolutely. UbeDelyss Insta powder contains tapioca fiber which provides an even smoother and creamier texture — some even prefer this version for lattes.
My latte isn't purple enough, why? The color depends on the type of milk used. Cow's or almond milk will give a paler result. Oat or coconut milk will produce the best shades. You can also slightly increase the amount of powder.
Can you prepare a cold Ube latte directly? Yes, but dissolving the powder in a little warm milk first is still recommended, even for the iced version — this avoids lumps.
| ⏱ Preparation time | 5 minutes |
| 🍵 Portions | 1 cup |
| 🌡 Difficulty | Very easy |
| ☕ Caffeine | None |
| 🌱 Vegan | Yes |
Want to try this recipe? Find our premium Ube powder UbeDelyss in the shop — available in 100g format to start, up to kilo for the most enthusiastic.
