Ube, the Filipino Purple Yam That Is Trending in Indonesia
Recently, the culinary trend of using ube has become very popular on Indonesian social media. Ube is a type of purple yam native to the Philippines and is often used as a main ingredient in various sweet desserts.
Many food stalls and cafes in Indonesia have started serving menus with ube flavors. The products used are usually in the form of liquid extract, powder, or a paste called ube halaya. Most of these ingredients are imported directly from the Philippines to maintain the authenticity of the flavor.
Interestingly, it turns out that ube can also grow well in Indonesian soil. Although many business owners have traditionally chosen to import ingredients from abroad, some local farmers are now starting to try cultivating this type of yam independently.
The use of ube in the culinary world certainly provides a unique appeal due to its beautiful purple color and distinctive sweet taste. This makes many people curious to try various processed ube products, ranging from cakes and ice cream to trendy beverages.
The presence of ube in the Indonesian market shows how food trends from neighboring countries can be well-received by the public. With the existing potential for local cultivation, it is hoped that in the future, the supply of ube will be easier to obtain without having to rely on imported products.