· By Jordan Lachica
Pandan and Ube
If you’ve walked into a specialty coffee shop or bakery lately, chances are you’ve noticed two vibrant colors taking over the menu: a striking, royal purple and a bright, earthy green. These beautiful hues belong to ube and pandan—two foundational flavors in Southeast Asian cuisine that are rapidly becoming global favorites. In the Philippines, we particularly use ube and pandan for desserts, but here at Purple Potions, we love coffee and matcha so we'll explain what ube and pandan is and we'll even share a recipe to make the best ube pandan latte.
What is Ube?
Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a purple yam native to the Philippines. Visually, it is famous for its vibrant violet flesh, which retains its color even after it has been cooked, mashed, or extracted.
Flavor-wise, ube is often described as a cross between vanilla, white chocolate, and pistachio. It has a deeply sweet, mildly nutty, and earthy profile. It's important to note that authentic ube desserts and syrups are rich and indulgent—our ube syrup at Purple Potions is crafted to highlight that classic, natural sweetness.
What is Pandan?
If ube is the star of the show, pandan is the unsung hero that ties everything together. Pandan is a tropical plant cultivated widely across Southeast Asia, easily recognized by its long, blade-like green leaves.
Often called the "vanilla of the East," pandan leaves aren't eaten whole. Instead, they are steeped, blended, or extracted to release a highly fragrant aroma. The flavor is completely unique—an aromatic mix of rose, almond, coconut, and freshly cut grass. When paired with rich bases like coconut milk or espresso, pandan creates a creamy, floral profile that perfectly balances the heavier sweetness of other ingredients.
The nutty, sweet profile of the ube pairs perfectly with the floral, grassy notes of the pandan, while the bitterness of the espresso keeps the drink balanced and prevents it from becoming overly sweet. To make this drink look as good as it tastes, we will build it in layers.
Purple Potions Iced Ube & Pandan Latte
Ingredients:
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2 shots (2 oz) fresh espresso
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6 oz milk of your choice (oat milk is highly recommended for its creamy texture)
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Ice
In your serving glass, combine the milk and the Purple Potions Ube Syrup. Stir thoroughly until the milk turns a rich, even purple.
Fill the glass to the top with ice. The ice will help slow the pour of the espresso, keeping the layers separated.
Pull two shots of hot espresso into a separate small pitcher or glass. Immediately stir in the Purple Potions Pandan Syrup so it melts and integrates seamlessly into the hot coffee.
Gently and slowly pour the hot pandan-espresso mixture over the ice in your serving glass. The espresso will float on top of the denser ube milk, creating a beautiful two-toned presentation.
Serve immediately. Make sure to give it a good stir with a straw before drinking so the flavors and temperatures combine!