Why is Ube the new IT thing? Color? Taste?

[erinch]

The title pretty much says it. Both WDW and Universal are UBE EVERYTHING.
Why? The color? The taste? The novelty?

 

[NYCgrrl]

The only ube based product I’ve tasted at WDW is an appetizer at Tiffins called ube cauliflower purée. Delicious!

I can imagine it used in various property wide desserts primarily due to the color.

 

[RedHead0186]

I think a lot of it is the color: it's pretty striking and not a color in a lot of foods. It's also delicious, and somewhat "exotic" for many American palates.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Ube also adds a subtle sweetness and nice texture. I see it often used in gf baking.

 

[zackiedawg]

Your question is the answer. Because it's the new IT thing. Like any trend, everyone jumps on it - and like most trends, it will probably fade in a few years in most places, replaced by whatever is the next IT thing.

That said, I had Filipino neighbors and had a few desserts and dishes with them long before it was a U.S. trend - when it started to pop up lately at bars and bakeries, I was surprised to see it again but without the Filipino connection.

 

[_19disnA]

Never heard of it before this post but apparently it is some sort of purple vegetable similar to a sweet potato. I agree as others have stated it is something new/trendy. Reminds me a bit of how charcuterie is all the rage for entertaining, like they just invented a new concept. I can remember my mom serving meat/cheese/crackers years ago when I was growing up when company was coming over to visit. I have even seen prepackaged charcuterie trays for sale in the local grocery store..............LOL. I guess meat/cheese platters with a fancy sounding foreign name suddenly make them all the rage.

 

[babyruth]

ube and matcha. two things I don't want to drink yet that's the newest flight at Animal Kingdom. ick.

 

[Jodo98]

They actually have an UBE donut at Everglazed donuts in Disney springs. My friend got it and let me try and suprisingly it was very good.

 

[NYCgrrl]

and like most trends, it will probably fade in a few years in most places, replaced by whatever is the next IT thing.

I suspect it’ll be around for the long term. Showed up in the local Asian markets 25-30 years ago so the food industry has had lots of time to experiment with it. And given the color, method of propagation and cost, Disney will be using it in every way it can.

As for charcuterie, it’s been around thru out Europe since at least the Middle Ages; think of Central European breakfasts and you’ll see a correlation. Glad we caught up!

 

[Minnie1222]

That's strange! I've had Ube pancakes for at least a few years before Covid. Didn't know it's currently en vogue.

 

[elvispursley]

Ube has always been a thing in Hawaii. We had lots of one things when we lived there.