This creamy ube matcha latte has notes of vanilla, cream, pistachio, and earthiness that’s oh, so good! Ube is a popular Southeast Asian flavor found in many desserts and drinks, so you know ube and matcha make a great pair.

It’s super easy to make with just 4 ingredients and in less than 7 minutes, you have a delicious matcha latte that’s beautiful and tastes good!

Here’s how to make an ube matcha latte at home!

What is Ube?

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a sweet root vegetable with thin brown skin on the outside and soft, purple flesh on the inside. It’s most similar to a sweet potato! Ube is widely grown throughout Southeast Asia, but it’s most famous in the Philippines, where you’ll find ube featured in all kinds of treats. It’s a yam I grew up eating and it’s a nostalgic flavor for me!

Once you cook it, you can enjoy it like sweet yam—just peel the skin off and dig into the soft, creamy inside. But be careful: Ube can easily stain your teeth, tongue, and fabrics, so handle it carefully!

The bold purple color also makes ube an excellent natural coloring agent, perfect for adding a pop of color to any dessert or drink.

What is the Flavor of Ube?

People often confuse taro and ube, but while they might look similar on the outside, it tastes very different inside. Ube’s flavor is a delicious mix of nutty, sweet, and vanilla, with a subtle coconut-like aroma.

It’s similar to sweet yam but more vanilla-forward and starchy. It’s also slightly earthy and nutty, similar to the aftertaste of almonds or pistachio. Ube can also have a slightly floral flavor, which is similar to vanilla. Because of this, some people say it tastes like a mix of sweet potato, vanilla, and pistachio!

It’s delicious with creamy flavors, like white chocolate or cream, but also goes well with earthy or tropical flavors.

Does Matcha Go with Ube?

Surprisingly, matcha goes nicely with ube! The two ingredients share similar flavor profiles, with matcha leaning more earthy and bitter. However, I don’t think they’re the soulmates of flavor pairings, it’s just good to me, not great.

The matcha can sometimes overpower the ube flavor, which makes this ube flavor flatter. Comparatively, I think ube shines more with bolder and more contrasting flavors like espresso, coconut, passion fruit, lychee, etc.

But I think with the right ratios, matcha and ube can taste great! You’ll have to dial down one of the two flavors to make it more balanced.

What Does a Ube Matcha Latte Taste Like?

An ube matcha latte tastes like an earthy vanilla tea, in a good way! It’s really creamy and fragrant, which works nicely with the earthy matcha. If you’re a fan of more mild matcha, then an ube matcha latte is perfect for you!

The ube also leaves a floral and creamy aftertaste, which works well with more creamy, nutty matchas. With an umami-forward matcha, the flavors might clash.

How to Prepare Matcha

Preparing matcha powder correctly makes your matcha latte ultra smooth, with no grittiness or clumps! It’s a guaranteed way of achieving a super green matcha. Whisking matcha in water is how you traditionally prepare matcha for drinking!

Whisking matcha removes all the clumps that can make a matcha drink super gritty and unpleasant.

To whisk matcha, you’ll need a matcha bowl and whisk, which you can buy separately or in a matcha set.

First, sift your matcha powder into your bowl, then add your water. Using a prepared whisk, start whisking your matcha in a zigzag motion until foam forms at the surface of your tea. Stop when you get a nice foam!

Check out my in-depth matcha whisking tutorial for detailed steps and a video to follow for reference.

How to Add Ube Flavor

Ube comes in many forms, including extract, jam, powder, or whole yam, which you can all find in any Filipino or Asian grocery store (except when the yam is out of season).

Ube extract is the easiest to find and work with, and I always use the Butterfly brand, who also carry many Asian flavors like pandan, almond, etc. It has a slight vanilla flavor and a bright purple color. A little goes a long way!

Ube powder, usually from Giron Foods, is also available but its larger texture makes it better in desserts or smoothies. There are more options for finer ube powder online.

You’ll also find some ube jams or halayas in the jam or spread section, usually with multiple options, but they are presweetened so controlling for sugar is difficult in drinks.

To use real yam, steam the ube before using it, then blend it to get a thick paste to flavor your drinks.

How to Make a Ube Matcha Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make an ube matcha latte at home:

• 2-3 drops of ube extract
• 1.5 tsp matcha powder
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 2-3 tsp sugar (or condensed milk)

Ube Matcha Latte Recipe

1. Make Ube Milk. Mix ube extract and condensed milk or sugar with a little warm water. Then, add milk and mix to dissolve.
2. Whisk Matcha. Sift matcha into a bowl, add water, and using a softened whisk, whisk the matcha in a zigzag motion until foam forms on the surface. Follow my matcha whisking tutorial for a great froth!
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice and ube milk to a glass, then top with whisked matcha.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Ube Pudding Matcha Latte Variation

For a fancier version of an ube matcha latte, try this ube pudding matcha latte that has an ube pudding cream top! The matcha latte is exactly the same, so here’s how to make the ube pudding cream top. You’ll need:

• 2-3 drops of ube extract
• 1 tbsp vanilla pudding
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

To make the ube pudding cream, add ube extract, vanilla pudding, and cream to a tall cup or bowl, then using an electric frother or whisk, whip the cream until it’s soft and fluffy. You want to stop whipping before it reaches the whipped cream stage so it’s pourable!

Tips:

Here are some tips for making an amazing ube matcha latte at home!

• Make Layers: You can make a pretty layered ube matcha latte by mixing the ube and sweetener with half of the milk and adding it to your glass with ice. Then, pour the rest of the milk directly onto a piece of ice to soften its impact. You want to repeat this with the whisked matcha as well.
• Prepare Matcha Without a Whisk: No whisk? No problem! You can make matcha without a whisk by shaking it in a jar or using an electric frother.