The first time you try real ube ice cream, the color is what hits you. Not neon purple, not lavender. A deep, dusty violet that looks like it was mixed with crushed velvet. Then you taste it, and the flavor does not match any ice cream you have had before. It is not fruity. It is not chocolatey. It sits in a space between vanilla bean and roasted pistachio, with a faint earthiness underneath and a whisper of coconut that you notice more on the second bite than the first. That combination of familiar and unfamiliar is exactly why ube ice cream has gone from a Filipino family dessert to a flavor stocked at Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and craft ice cream shops across the country.
What Is Ube Ice Cream?
Ube ice cream is a frozen dessert made from ube (Dioscorea alata), a purple yam native to Southeast Asia that has been a staple ingredient in Filipino cooking for generations. The ice cream gets its flavor and deep violet color from ube halaya (a thick jam made from boiled, mashed purple yam with sugar, butter, and coconut milk) or from ube extract, or both. Unlike most “novelty” ice cream flavors, ube ice cream has genuine roots in Filipino food culture, where it appears in everything from halo-halo (a shaved ice dessert) to cakes, breads, and pastries.
At Ube 101, we cover ube from the flavor side. This is not a recipe-only guide. This is a breakdown of what ube ice cream actually tastes like, which brands are worth buying, how to make it at home (with or without an ice cream maker), and where to find ube ice cream near you.
What Does Ube Ice Cream Taste Like?
Ube ice cream tastes mildly sweet, earthy, and nutty. The flavor profile is often compared to vanilla combined with pistachio, and some people detect a subtle coconut note underneath. It is less sharp than berry-based ice creams and warmer than plain vanilla. The texture of ube ice cream tends to be denser and creamier than standard vanilla or chocolate because ube halaya adds body and starch to the base.
If you have tried what ube tastes like on its own, the ice cream version amplifies the sweet and nutty notes while softening the earthiness. The cream and sugar round out the flavor into something rich and comforting. People who enjoy sweet potato, taro, or matcha ice creams tend to like ube, but the flavor is genuinely distinct from all three.
Best Ube Ice Cream Brands to Buy
Not all ube ice cream is created equal. Some brands use real ube puree or halaya, while others rely on artificial flavoring and food coloring. Here is a comparison of the brands you are most likely to find.
| Brand | Where to buy | Uses real ube? | Texture | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia | Asian grocery stores (H Mart, 99 Ranch) | Yes (ube puree) | Dense, smooth, rich | $6 to $8 per pint |
| Trader Joe’s | Trader Joe’s (seasonal, spring/summer) | Ube flavoring (not pure extract) | Light, creamy | $3 to $4 per pint |
| Bubbies (mochi) | Most major supermarkets | Ube flavoring | Chewy mochi shell, creamy filling | $5 to $7 per box |
| Arce Dairy | Filipino grocery stores, some Asian markets | Yes (ube halaya) | Very dense, traditional style | $7 to $10 per tub |
Magnolia is the brand most Filipino families grew up with. It uses real ube puree, and the flavor is noticeably more complex than brands that rely on artificial flavoring. If you can find it, start here.
Trader Joe’s ube ice cream is a seasonal item that typically appears in spring and summer. It has a lighter texture and milder flavor than Magnolia, but at $3 to $4 per pint, it is one of the most accessible entry points for people trying ube ice cream for the first time.
Bubbies ube mochi ice cream wraps ube ice cream in a thin, chewy mochi shell. The combination of textures (chewy exterior, creamy interior) makes it a popular option at conventional supermarkets where full pints of ube ice cream are not stocked.
Where to Buy Ube Ice Cream Near Me
Finding ube ice cream near me depends on where you live, but it has become significantly easier in the last two years. Here are the most reliable sources:
Asian grocery stores are still the best bet. Chains like H Mart, 99 Ranch Market, Seafood City, and local Filipino markets almost always carry at least one ube ice cream brand in their freezer section.
Trader Joe’s stocks ube ice cream seasonally. It is not available year-round. Check in spring and summer, and be prepared for it to sell out fast.
Walmart carries select ube ice cream brands and ube mochi ice cream in some locations. Availability varies by region and is more common in areas with larger Asian or Filipino communities.
Whole Foods stocks Bubbies ube mochi ice cream in most locations and occasionally carries other ube frozen desserts.
Local ice cream shops increasingly offer ube as a rotating or permanent flavor. Search Google Maps for “ube ice cream near me” or “Filipino ice cream” to find craft shops and dessert cafes serving it. In major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area, you will likely find multiple options.
Online ordering through services like Weee!, GoPuff, or Instacart can deliver ube ice cream to your door if local stores are limited.
How to Make Ube Ice Cream at Home (No-Churn Recipe)
The no-churn method produces rich, creamy ube ice cream without any special equipment. This recipe is adapted from the approach used by Bigger Bolder Baking and The Unlikely Baker, two of the most widely referenced sources for homemade ube ice cream.
What you need:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (very cold)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1 teaspoon ube extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to make it:
Whip the heavy cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form (about 4 to 5 minutes on high speed). In a separate bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and vanilla until smooth and evenly purple.
Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the ube mixture to lighten it. Then gently fold in the remaining whipped cream, using a spatula and turning the bowl as you go. Do not stir aggressively or you will deflate the cream.
Pour the mixture into a loaf pan or freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with a spatula. Cover tightly with plastic wrap (pressed directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals) and freeze for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
The result is a dense, scoopable ice cream with a pronounced ube flavor. It will be slightly denser than machine-churned ice cream because there is less air incorporated, but the flavor and color will be excellent.
You can also pour the mixture into popsicle molds before freezing to make easy homemade ube popsicles.
Products for this recipe (affiliate links):
Butterfly Ube Flavoring Extract on Amazon: Butterfly Ube Flavoring Extract 2 oz
Butterfly Ube Restaurant Size 1 Liter on Amazon: Butterfly Ube Purple Yam Flavoring Extract 1 Liter
Ube Ice Cream with a Ninja Creami
If you own a Ninja Creami, ube ice cream is one of the best flavors to make in it. The machine’s spinning blade aerates the frozen base into a texture that is closer to soft serve than what the no-churn method produces.
Ninja Creami ube ice cream method:
Combine 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup ube halaya, 1 teaspoon ube extract, and 1/4 cup whole milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into the Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours (the full freeze is important for the machine to process it correctly).
Run the ice cream cycle. If the texture is too icy after the first spin, run the re-spin cycle once. The result should be smooth, creamy, and deeply purple.
The Ninja Creami ube ice cream has a lighter, airier texture than the no-churn version and scoops more easily straight from the freezer.
Ube Ice Cream in Halo-Halo
Halo-halo is the Filipino shaved ice dessert that traditionally features a generous scoop of ube ice cream on top. The combination of crushed ice, sweetened beans, coconut gel, leche flan, and ube ice cream is one of the most iconic Filipino dessert experiences. The ube ice cream melts into the shaved ice as you mix it, creating a purple-tinted, creamy layer that ties all the flavors together.
If you are making halo-halo at home, use a dense ube ice cream (like Magnolia or homemade) rather than a light, airy one. A denser ice cream holds its shape longer on top of the shaved ice and creates a richer flavor when it melts. For a complete halo-halo, you also need sweetened red beans (munggo or kidney beans), nata de coco (coconut gel), kaong (sugar palm fruit), macapuno (coconut sport), jackfruit strips, a piece of leche flan, and a drizzle of evaporated milk.
The Ube Ice Cream Market Is Growing Fast
Ube ice cream is not a fad. The global ube ice cream market was valued at approximately USD 1.24 billion in 2025, with projections showing growth at an 8.3% compound annual rate to reach USD 2.55 billion by 2034 (source: Growth Market Reports). That growth is driven by ube’s natural visual appeal on social media, the broader global interest in Filipino cuisine (highlighted by the 2024 debut of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines), and the ingredient’s versatility across frozen desserts, bakery items, and beverages.
The supply side has its own story. Philippine ube production declined from over 15,000 metric tons in 2021 to approximately 12,483 metric tons in 2025 (source: Manila Bulletin), which has created a gap between surging global demand and available supply. The Philippine government has responded by supporting indigenous farming communities and standardizing production, while some manufacturers have turned to imported frozen ube from Vietnam and Japan to bridge the shortage.
Nutritionally, ube itself brings more to the table than most ice cream flavoring ingredients. A 100-gram serving of cooked ube provides about 140 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 3 to 4 grams of fiber, and up to 40% of the daily value for vitamin C (source: Healthline). Its purple color comes from anthocyanins, antioxidants that research has linked to anti-inflammatory effects and potential blood sugar regulation (source: National Institutes of Health, PubMed Central). Of course, once ube is turned into ice cream with added sugar and cream, it becomes a dessert treat, but the base ingredient is more nutritious than most people realize.
Ube Ice Cream at McDonald’s, Baskin-Robbins, and Other Chains
Several major chains have experimented with ube ice cream and ube-flavored frozen desserts, though availability is inconsistent:
McDonald’s in the Philippines has offered ube-flavored McFlurry and sundae variations as limited-time menu items. These are not available at U.S. locations as a standard offering.
Baskin-Robbins has featured ube as a limited-time or regional flavor in select markets, particularly in areas with large Filipino and Asian communities. It is not a permanent menu item at all locations.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and other craft chains have featured ube as a seasonal or special release flavor, typically selling out quickly.
The pattern is clear: chains test ube, it sells well, and then supply or seasonal rotations pull it off the menu. If you see ube at a chain near you, buy it. It may not be there next week.
Making the Most of Ube Ice Cream
Three things worth keeping in mind as you explore ube ice cream, whether you buy it or make it yourself.
First, real ube ice cream should be a deep, muted purple. If it is neon or bright violet, it probably relies heavily on food coloring rather than real ube. Check the ingredients label for “ube” or “purple yam” early in the list.
Second, ube pairs well with coconut, macapuno, and leche flan in dessert contexts. If you are building a sundae or a halo-halo, lean into those Filipino flavor combinations rather than defaulting to chocolate sauce and sprinkles.
Third, homemade ube ice cream freezes harder than commercial versions because it lacks stabilizers and emulsifiers. Let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping. This is normal and does not mean something went wrong.
For more on ube’s place in Filipino desserts, see our guide to ube desserts. And if you want to understand the ingredient at a deeper level, start with what ube tastes like.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ube Ice Cream
What does ube ice cream taste like? Ube ice cream tastes mildly sweet with earthy, nutty notes similar to vanilla and pistachio, often with a subtle coconut undertone. It is less tangy than most fruit-based ice creams and richer than plain vanilla. The flavor is warm and comforting rather than sharp or tart.
Is ube ice cream the same as taro ice cream? No. Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a purple yam and taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a starchy root from a completely different plant family. Ube ice cream is sweeter and more intensely purple, while taro ice cream is starchier with a grayish-lavender color. Some shops mislabel taro as ube, so check if the color is a true violet.
Where can I buy ube ice cream near me? Check Asian grocery stores (H Mart, 99 Ranch Market), Trader Joe’s (seasonal), and Filipino bakeries or dessert shops. Search Google Maps for “ube ice cream near me” to find local options. Walmart and Whole Foods also carry select ube ice cream brands in some locations.
Does Trader Joe’s sell ube ice cream? Yes, Trader Joe’s carries ube ice cream as a seasonal item, typically available in spring and summer. It sells out quickly and is not restocked year-round. Check with your local store or follow Trader Joe’s social media for release announcements.
Can I make ube ice cream without an ice cream maker? Yes. The no-churn method uses heavy whipping cream (whipped to stiff peaks) folded with sweetened condensed milk, ube halaya, and ube extract. Freeze for 6 to 8 hours. The result is rich and creamy, though slightly denser than churned ice cream.
What is ube ice cream made of? Ube ice cream is made from a base of cream, sugar, and milk combined with ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube extract for flavor and color. Some brands use real ube puree while others rely on artificial ube flavoring with food coloring.
Is ube ice cream healthy? Ube itself is nutritious, providing about 140 calories, 3 to 4 grams of fiber, and up to 40% of the daily value for vitamin C per 100-gram serving when cooked. It also contains anthocyanin antioxidants. The ice cream version adds sugar and cream, so it is a treat, not a health food, but it is comparable to other premium ice creams.
Does Baskin-Robbins have ube ice cream? Baskin-Robbins has offered ube-flavored ice cream as a limited-time or regional flavor in select markets, particularly in areas with large Filipino communities. It is not a permanent menu item at all locations. Check your local store’s current flavor list.
What is ube mochi ice cream? Ube mochi ice cream is a small ball of ube ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of pounded sticky rice dough (mochi). Brands like Bubbies and My/Mochi sell ube mochi ice cream in many conventional supermarkets. The chewy mochi shell and the creamy ube filling create a textural contrast.
Can I use ube ice cream in halo-halo? Yes, and it is one of the most popular ways to serve it. Halo-halo is a Filipino shaved ice dessert traditionally topped with a scoop of ube ice cream. The ube adds sweetness, creaminess, and color to the mix of shaved ice, beans, jellies, and fruit.
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- Title tag: Ube Ice Cream: Best Brands, Recipes, Where to Buy
- Meta description: Discover the best ube ice cream brands, a simple no-churn recipe, and where to find it near you. Real purple yam flavor guide.
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- Excerpt: Ube ice cream blends the earthy, vanilla-like sweetness of Filipino purple yam into a rich frozen dessert. This guide covers the best brands, a no-churn recipe, Ninja Creami tips, and where to find ube ice cream near you.
References
- Healthline. “Purple Yam (Ube): Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/purple-yam
- National Institutes of Health, PubMed Central. Research on anthocyanins in Dioscorea alata. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Growth Market Reports. “Ube Ice Cream Market Size, Share & Trends.” https://growthmarketreports.com/
- Manila Bulletin. Philippine ube production data. https://mb.com.ph/
- Wikipedia. “Dioscorea alata.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioscorea_alata
প্রায়শই জিজ্ঞাসিত প্রশ্নাবলী
What does ube ice cream taste like?
Ube ice cream tastes mildly sweet with earthy, nutty notes similar to vanilla and pistachio, often with a subtle coconut undertone. It is less tangy than most fruit-based ice creams and richer than plain vanilla. The flavor is warm and comforting rather than sharp or tart.
Is ube ice cream the same as taro ice cream?
No. Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a purple yam and taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a starchy root from a completely different plant family. Ube ice cream is sweeter and more intensely purple, while taro ice cream is starchier with a grayish-lavender color. Some shops mislabel taro as ube, so check if the color is a true violet.
Where can I buy ube ice cream near me?
Check Asian grocery stores (H Mart, 99 Ranch Market), Trader Joe's (seasonal), and Filipino bakeries or dessert shops. Search Google Maps for 'ube ice cream near me' to find local options. Walmart and Whole Foods also carry select ube ice cream brands in some locations.
Does Trader Joe's sell ube ice cream?
Yes, Trader Joe's carries ube ice cream as a seasonal item, typically available in spring and summer. It sells out quickly and is not restocked year-round. Check with your local store or follow Trader Joe's social media for release announcements.
Can I make ube ice cream without an ice cream maker?
Yes. The no-churn method uses heavy whipping cream (whipped to stiff peaks) folded with sweetened condensed milk, ube halaya, and ube extract. Freeze for 6 to 8 hours. The result is rich and creamy, though slightly denser than churned ice cream.
What is ube ice cream made of?
Ube ice cream is made from a base of cream, sugar, and milk combined with ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube extract for flavor and color. Some brands use real ube puree while others rely on artificial ube flavoring with food coloring.
Is ube ice cream healthy?
Ube itself is nutritious. A 100-gram serving of cooked ube provides about 140 calories, 3 to 4 grams of fiber, and up to 40% of the daily value for vitamin C. It also contains anthocyanin antioxidants. The ice cream version adds sugar and cream, so it is a treat, not a health food, but it is comparable to other premium ice creams.
Does Baskin Robbins have ube ice cream?
Baskin-Robbins has offered ube-flavored ice cream as a limited-time or regional flavor in select markets, particularly in areas with large Filipino communities. It is not a permanent menu item at all locations. Check your local store's current flavor list.
What is ube mochi ice cream?
Ube mochi ice cream is a small ball of ube ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of pounded sticky rice dough (mochi). Brands like Bubbies and My/Mochi sell ube mochi ice cream in many conventional supermarkets. The chewy mochi shell and the creamy ube filling create a textural contrast.
Can I use ube ice cream in halo-halo?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular ways to serve it. Halo-halo is a Filipino shaved ice dessert traditionally topped with a scoop of ube ice cream. The ube adds sweetness, creaminess, and color to the mix of shaved ice, beans, jellies, and fruit.