Now and then, a food trend pops up that takes the world by storm. It started with boba tea, then shifted to matcha, but now attention has turned to purple yam, more commonly known as ube. For many Filipinos, the seasonal root crop is a classic and go-to delicacy used in many local dishes, but the rest of the world is finally catching up. 2026 might be the year of ube, with how everything, from cakes, breads, ice creams, and coffee, now has ube in it, given how versatile it is with its unique flavor profile and striking color.
With its increased international demand, though, comes the fact that ube has become harder to come by these days, especially since it’s only harvested during certain periods of the year. But there are ways to circumvent this while still enjoying its authentic flavor and supporting local farmers with Astoria Philippine Ube Powder.
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Global Quality, Locally Made, Ethically Sourced
With ube having its culinary moment as of late, purple yam has become a lot more popular in professional restaurants and home kitchens. Astoria Philippine Ube Powder offers that same quality flavor in a convenient package. Crafted by a diverse team of food technologists, chefs, farmers, and agricultural specialists, the powder is made from 100% dehydrated and finely milled Philippine-grown ube and contains zero colorants, preservatives, or additives, making for a natural ready-to-use staple that retains its signature purple color and can last well into the year.
The gluten-free, nut-free, allergen-free, no-added-sugar powder is produced in an FDA–, Halal–, and GHP-compliant facility under the careful supervision of food scientists and quality assurance specialists to meet global food and safety standards. As a sign of the quality and craft that went into the powder, it was awarded “Best in Product Innovation” at the Halal Expo Philippines 2025.
The versatile product offers itself to a variety of uses and applications. From cakes, breads, pastries, ice creams, desserts, and more, the ube powder elevates any recipe with its vibrant purple hue and signature, rich taste. Astoria itself uses the powder in many of their indulgent and decadent desserts, such as the Astoria Ube Gateau and Astoria Ube Cheesecake that taste as good as they look.
At the heart of this offering is Astoria’s Farm-to-Table initiative. There were no shortcuts involved with the ube powder as it was sourced from farms across the Philippines to support the local agricultural industry and its workers. This ensures high-quality products while also properly supporting small-scale farmers in the Philippines so that they get their fair share in ube’s growing popularity.
Locally made, properly sourced, and global quality is the name of the game here, and it was further highlighted in how the Astoria Culinary Expert Services team has joined several major local and international food expos to bring the Philippine-made ube powder closer to multiple markets in and outside the country. Among the attended events include Halal Expo Philippines 2025, TUTTOFOOD Milano 2026, WOFEX Drinks and Bakes 2026, IFEX Philippines 2026: Tropical Flavors for the World, and THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2026. Most recently, the Astoria Philippine team was a part of WOFEX Manila 2026 this past July.
Ube in Its Many Forms
While preparing raw ube might seem like a complicated process only trained chefs can do, Astoria Philippine Ube Powder makes incorporating purple yam into all kinds of dishes easy, safe, and accessible. All that needs to be done is to rehydrate 1 part ube powder to 4 parts boiling water and to let it bloom for 30 minutes; then it can be used in a myriad of ways, from pastries, desserts, fillings, and spreads. With a shelf life of up to 18 months and being gluten-free, nut-free, allergen-free, and with no added sugar, you’ll have natural ube ready year-round.
Adding to its versatility, there is also the Astoria Philippine Ube Beverage Mix that comes in two variants: Original and Lite, with the latter containing no milk and less sugar for a lighter and healthier option. Made using the Astoria Philippine Ube Powder, the beverage mix is specifically crafted for drinks and beverages, from lattes and coffees to cocktails, shakes, and more. It adds an ube touch to all kinds of drinks that gives each sip a distinctly Filipino flavor.
Trends come and go, but ube is here to stay, and products like these make it available yearly while supporting the local small-scale Filipino ube farmers who make it happen.
For more details, visit Astoria-ACES’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
Featured Image and Photos: ASTORIA
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