Ube (purple yam) and camote (sweet potato) are indigenous tubers that have various culinary applications in Philippine cuisine. The purple-colored camote has a similar appearance with the purple-colored yam. This causes confusion that leads to this question: is ube and camote the same?
Ube and Camote are NOT THE SAME. Although both are tubers, yams and sweet potatoes come from different plant families. You can further tell their difference by the appearance of their skin, their raw color/ pigmentation, and their taste. Knowing this difference helps tell them apart and avoid confusion especially when using them as ingredients.
Is Ube and Camote The Same?
Yams and sweet potatoes (camote) are both tubers, which means both their produce are grown underground. However, they are two different types of plants. We will be sharing with you their differences so you could easily distinguish which is which.
Color and Pigmentation
Both yams and sweet potatoes have a purple-colored variety. Purple yams are popularly known as ube. This purple color comes from anthocyanins, an antioxidant known to have health benefits against cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
When you slice up an ube, it starts out light colored. But as oxidation happens, it turns into the vibrant purple we are familiar with. This purple pigmentation also stains, so it’s best to wear gloves when handling it.
On the other hand, camote stays in the same color or shade all throughout. It’s pigment doesn’t stain, unlike the ube.
Skin
There is also a noticeable or obvious difference when it comes to their skin.
When harvested, you will see that the ube’s skin looks like a tree bark. But this layer is thin and has a dark color and rough texture. Refer to the image below.
The camote’s skin looks like that of a potato. It is thin as well, but has a smooth texture. The purple-colored camote also has a reddish purple skin. Refer to the image below.
Taste
When it comes to the taste, both have hints of an earthy flavor.
The sweet potato or camote has a natural sweet taste. The purple-colored camote is actually sweeter than the other varieties of camote.
As for the ube, surprisingly, it doesn’t have a taste on its own. However when blended with other ingredients like milk and butter, it produces a unique delicious flavor we are familiar with.
Camote or Sweet Potato
Camote (also spelled kamote) or sweet potato is popular root crop widely consumed in the Philippines. Unlike the ube or yam, both the root and leaves are edible for camote. It is highly nutritious and can be prepared on its own or as an ingredient.
Image: marthastewart.com
Ube or Purple Yam
Ube is a popular purple-colored yam harvested in the Philippines. It is known for its vibrant purple color and its unique flavor. Unlike the camote, it is seasonal and is available only during the last months of the year.
For this reason, ube is kind of scarce in the marketplace. It’s hard to find raw ube and if ever you find ube-processed products, chances are they are using substitute products or ube flavorings.
When it comes to cooking or making ube food products, you might have to deal with a commercially available ube powders.
Image: reddit.com (by u_msmysty)
Recipes
Both ube and kamote is enjoyed by many Filipinos and it is best to try out making these recipes at home. Take note though that the kamote recipes below are applicable for all varieties of kamote, not just the purple ones.
Ube Recipes:
Camote/ Kamote (Sweet Potato) Recipes:
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