What Are Ube Lattes? Nutrition Facts and Healthy Recipes

What Are Ube Lattes?

Ube lattes are a trendy coffee drink made with ube powder or ube syrup, espresso, steamed milk, and often topped with whipped cream. Ube (pronounced OO-beh) is a sweet purple yam native to Southeast Asia that is used in everything from ice cream to pastries. An ube latte combines the nutty, vanilla-like flavor of ube with rich espresso and steamed milk for an indulgent drink that looks as good as it tastes.

Ube Latte Ingredients

The main ingredients in an ube latte are:

• Ube powder or ube syrup
• Espresso
• Steamed milk (can use dairy milk, non-dairy milk, or a combination)
• Whipped cream or sweetened whipped cream for topping (optional)
• Sugar syrup if using ube powder (optional)

Some coffee shops also add flavors like vanilla or cocoa powder to their ube latte recipe. The ube powder or syrup provides the distinctive purple color and sweet, earthy flavor.

Making Your Own Ube Latte

While you can buy pre-made ube syrups and powders online or at specialty stores, you can also make your own ube latte from scratch at home. Here is an easy ube latte recipe to try:

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together 1⁄4 cup ube powder and 1⁄4 cup sugar or simple syrup. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Brew 1-2 shots espresso and pour into a 12-16 ounce glass or mug.
3. Steam or heat 8-12 ounces milk of choice to a frothy texture.
4. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the ube mixture from step 1 into glass/mug and stir to combine.
5. Top with the steamed milk.
6. Top with sweetened whipped cream if desired.
7. Dust with cocoa powder, ube powder, or sprinkles (optional).
8. Enjoy your homemade ube latte!

Ube Latte Nutrition & Calories

The nutrition profile of an ube latte can vary quite a bit depending on the specific ingredients and sizes used. However, here is an estimate of the nutrition per 12 ounce serving:

• Calories: 150-250
• Fat: 5-15g
• Carbs: 15-30g sugar
• Protein: 8-15g

As you can see, ube lattes are high in calories and carbs compared to plain coffee. The biggest variable is how much steamed milk and added sweeteners are used. For example, a 12 ounce ube latte made with 2% milk and no whipped cream or sugar syrup may contain around 150 calories. But a large 20 ounce ube latte with whole milk, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings could have over 500 calories.

Tips for a Healthier Ube Latte

Here are some easy tips for enjoying ube lattes while keeping calories and sugar under control:

• Stick to the standard 12 ounce size or order a "short" 8 ounce option.
• Use non-fat or low-fat milk.
• Skip the sugar syrup if using ube powder.
• Ask for less or no whipped cream on top.
• Request no chocolate shavings or other crushed candy toppings.
• Sweeten to taste with zero-calorie sweeteners if needed.
• Enjoy your ube latte alongside a protein-rich food like yogurt or eggs to balance blood sugar.

The Bottom Line

Ube lattes may not be an everyday drink choice for the calorie conscious. But enjoyed occasionally and customized to limit excess sugar and fat, they can be a fun, festive treat. The ube powder provides antioxidants and fiber, while a small amount of natural sweetness satisfies a craving. Just be mindful of portion sizes and added toppings whenever indulging.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.