Posted by UBE.25
Customers don't just order based on taste, but also on what's new and what looks good. Matcha and chai have now found a permanent place on the menu of many coffee bars. The flavor that's currently emerging is ube: the purple yam from the Philippines. In this article, you'll read why ube fits alongside matcha and chai, and how to start with it without any risk.
What is ube?
Ube is a purple yam with a soft, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor. In Philippine cuisine, ube is found in ice cream, cake, and the sweet paste ube halaya. As a powder, ube dissolves easily, allowing you to make a latte with it just as quickly as with matcha. Read more background in what is ube?
Why ube works well in the hospitality industry
- It stands out. A purple latte catches the eye at the bar and gets photographed and shared.
- Accessible flavor. Soft and slightly sweet. Even customers who find matcha too bitter will order ube.
- Caffeine-free. A good alternative in the afternoon and evening, or for customers who want less caffeine.
- Quick to make. Whisk it up, add milk, and you're done. No new equipment needed.
- Versatile. Hot, iced, as cold foam, or in desserts.
Ube, matcha and chai side by side
- Matcha: green, fresh, and slightly bitter. Contains caffeine.
- Chai: warm and spicy. Usually contains caffeine from black tea.
- Ube: purple, soft, and slightly sweet. Caffeine-free.
Together, they cover three flavor profiles. For matcha on your menu, you can turn to our sister brand 22.Matcha.
How to add ube to the menu
- Ube latte as an entry point.
- Iced ube latte for warm days.
- Ube cold foam as an upsell on iced coffee or cold brew.
- Ube matcha latte as a signature drink.
- Desserts: ube cookies or ube lemon tart in the display case.
Tips to start small
- Start with one drink. An ube latte, hot and iced, is enough to test the demand.
- Make it visible on the menu. A photo or a small plate at the bar helps enormously.
- Tell them what it is. "Purple yam from the Philippines, caffeine-free" is enough to pique curiosity.
- Let your team taste it. Whoever finds it delicious themselves will sell it more easily.
Want to try it in your establishment?
About 70 coffee bars, restaurants, and bakeries already serve UBE.25. Ask for a free hospitality sample pack, or first check out ube powder from UBE.25.
