With the rising demand for desserts and sweets, ube (or purple yam) has become a staple ingredient in households and restaurants here and abroad. By becoming more and more skilled in their craft, chefs, bakers, and even home cooks have given rise to variations of delectable ube confections.
Culinary innovations like these are hard to pass up – that is why Astoria Culinary Expert Services (Astoria-ACES) launched the Farm-To-Table Initiative as an effort to support the local agricultural industry by sourcing different types of fruits and vegetables, including ube, directly from farmers across the Philippines.
Seeing the demand for ube despite the crop’s seasonal availability, Astoria-ACES’ specialists teamed up to develop 100% pure ube product that is shelf-stable and easy to use. Thus, creating their first product – the Astoria-ACES’ Philippine Ube Powder.
But… let us go back a bit.
Let’s talk more about ube (or purple yam)
Ube is a vibrant purple root crop which is native to Southeast Asia, more commonly found in the Philippines. It is characterized as having a sweet and nutty flavor and aroma, even being regarded as having a similar flavor to vanilla with hints of pistachio or coconut.
Filipino taste preferences generally lean toward sweet flavors, among others. That is why food innovations revolve around discovering and adding ingredients that can enhance the sweetness of dishes and desserts. As part of the exploration, ube has become a key player in snack creations. Its distinct taste has made it a favorite ingredient in everything from pastries to frozen treats.
Ube has found a permanent place in the hearts—and snacks—of Filipinos.
Enjoy Filipino breakfast and merienda staples
Having breakfast has long been part of Filipino culture, just like in many other cultures. What makes it even embedded is the practice that comes with it – like enjoying meals or bonding through conversation with everyone at the table before the day starts.
Enjoying merienda with family and friends is also deeply engraved in the Filipino culture and typically gives off a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. It often brings back childhood memories of afternoons filled with laughter and food.
Small yet meaningful moments like these are the foundations of the Filipino culture’s togetherness and hospitality. Whether having a sip of coffee while munching on a pandesal or having full meals, breakfast and merienda times are something to look forward to.
Here are a few breakfast and merienda options from Astoria Gourmet Take-aways to satisfy that Filipino craving:
1. Ube Cheese Deluxe Pandesal
Pandesal is a classic Filipino breakfast and merienda item which is typically enjoyed with a variety of spreads and even coffee. Having gained popularity with both young and old, this Filipino staple is rarely ever disregarded as part of the first meal of the day or snacks during afternoon breaks.
In recent years, variations of pandesal have been introduced. Even The Astoria Group has its own version, called the Ube Cheese Deluxe Pandesal, ready for your everyday gourmet cravings.
2. Ube Macapuno Ensaymada
Ensaymada is one of the most known pasalubong pastries of every Filipino household. This sweet fluffy cheesy snack is often paired with hot chocolate during the afternoons.
To take things up a notch, The Astoria Group has introduced its own version of this item made tastier with macapuno as part of its ube collection. If you have not tried it yet, make sure to order yourself a box of Ube Macapuno Ensaymada today.
3. Astoria Bibingcute
The bibingka is traditionally known as one of the most sought-after early morning bites during the Christmas season. With stalls opening from the early mornings to catch the crowd of people from a simbang gabi (or misa de gallo), churchgoers are sure to take notice.
Thinking out of the box, The Astoria Group conceptualized the bibingka to be a part of the everyday Filipino snack. With an assortment of flavors, the Astoria Bibingcute will surely be the sweetest addition to your table.
4. Ube Buko Langka Pie
The timeless popularity of the buko pie has made it a fixed food item for the Filipinos. Having been popularized in Laguna, it has become the most known pasalubong when returning to Metro Manila or even the farther provinces.
As with many shops and restaurants replicating this popular product, The Astoria Group has also introduced its own creation – the Ube Buko Langka Pie.
So, what is the not-so-secret ingredient to these mouthwatering creations?
Of course, all these sweet treats were made possible with Astoria Culinary Expert Services’ (Astoria-ACES) Philippine Ube Powder. The product is made with 100% dehydrated and pulverized purple yam, and has zero additives, preservatives, colorants, or extenders.
While raw ube is a seasonal product, Astoria-ACES’ Philippine Ube Powder has a shelf life of no less than one year at room temperature conditions, making ube available in its purest form all year round for use in both domestic and industrial kitchens. Additionally, one no longer must peel or trim raw ube, making the preparation process much faster and easier.
The Astoria-ACES Philippine Ube Powder can be rehydrated with warm water to make a variety of pastries, baked goods, desserts, and more. This includes traditional delicacies like ube halaya and ube cheese pandesal. With the rise of ube as a culinary trend, Astoria-ACES’ Philippine Ube Powder can also be used in new and innovative applications such as ube mochi, ube panna cotta, and ube sourdough.
You can shop online by visiting bit.ly/ACES-Ube or place your orders for pick-up via:
Email: info.f2t@astoria-aces.com
Mobile: (+63) 998-535-2919
Landline: (+63 2) 8687-1111 locals 8125 and 8172
We know reading blogs can make anyone hungry, especially if it is about food. So, why not try making your own ube recipes at home? Put your culinary skills to the test using the Astoria-ACES’ Philippine Ube Powder.
Too busy to prep or it might already be past breakfast or merienda? No worries, you can place an order for our featured items instead. Maybe you will find new favorites from the Astoria Gourmet Take-Aways. Just visit bit.ly/AstoriaGourmetTakeaways and treat yourself to proudly Filipino-made snacks anytime in the comforts of your home. Order food online now!
Make snack times even more enjoyable when you sign up with the leading vacation club in the Philippines, Astoria Vacation and Leisure Club, Inc. (AVLCI). Take advantage of your membership with memorable stays at our hotels and resorts plus get amazing discounts on venues and even on gourmet dishes! Be extra cautious in avoiding timeshare fraud by joining only the best at www.avlci.com.
