Tracing the colorful journey of Ube through the Astoria Culinary Expert Services (Astoria-ACES) farm-to-table initiative

The rich purple hue and naturally sweet, earthy flavor of ube has long been a beloved staple in Filipino desserts. From the classic halaya, lovingly stirred for hours in traditional kitchens, to the modern creations seen in cafés and restaurants, this local delicacy has earned its place as an icon of Filipino culinary artistry. Over the years, this humble root crop has evolved into a versatile ingredient, celebrated both locally and globally.

Recognizing the deep cultural significance and the rising demand for high-quality ube, Astoria Culinary Expert Services (Astoria-ACES) embarked on a visionary farm-to-table initiative. This movement not only aimed to elevate the quality and integrity of ube-based ingredients but also to uplift local farming communities, encourage sustainability, and create new avenues for culinary innovation.

From Harvest to Innovation: Astoria Philippine Ube Powder

As the demand for ube-based products grew due to the crop’s seasonal availability, Astoria-ACES recognized the need for a versatile and shelf-stable ingredient that preserved the authentic taste of real Philippine ube. This became the foundation for developing an innovative product: Astoria Philippine Ube Powder.

Made from 100% real, locally sourced ube, this premium powder was crafted by Astoria’s team of chefs, agricultural specialists, food scientists, and quality control specialists. The meticulous process developed by the team ensures the preservation of ube’s natural flavor, color, and aroma. The result is a highly adaptable ingredient that can be used for baking, cooking, and beverage creation.

Though the Farm-To-Table initiative began as their effort to support the local agricultural industry by sourcing different types of fruits and vegetables directly from farmers across the Philippines, it has provided a sustainable and reliable avenue for farmers to maintain their harvests and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

New Ube Desserts Crafted

With the success of the ube powder and its consistent quality, Astoria found themselves an exciting opportunity: to reimagine their dessert offerings and showcase the versatility of this uniquely Filipino ingredient. The result? A vibrant array of new creations that accentuate the beauty of ube in modern and unexpected ways.

From delicate pastries to indulgent cakes, refreshing beverages, and reinvented classics, the culinary teams across Astoria’s properties have embraced ube as a star ingredient. Guests now enjoy desserts that not only satisfy their sweet cravings but also tell a story of heritage, collaboration, and innovation.

1.Ube Crème Brulee Cake

Dig in to every bite of ube chiffon and taste the sweet blend of custard cream, light ube mousse, ube halaya, and caramelized sugar with the Ube Crème Brûlée Cake.

2. Ube Cashew Clusters

To satisfy your sweet tooth, indulge in the crunch of ube cashew clusters while binge-watching your favorite series during your movie marathon nights.

3. Ube Buko Langka Pie

A typical treat taken home to your family turns into a much more aesthetic and mouthwatering dessert. Enjoy the rich blend of flavors from ube, buko, and langka in pie form. Share a slice or two with family and friends and bond over this melt-in-your-mouth baked goodie.

4. Ube Macapuno Ensaymada

Looking for a snack to pair with your cup of hot coffee or chocolate? Grab an ube macapuno ensaymada. Let this new take on the ever-popular pastry bring you on a brand-new dessert adventure.

5. Ube Espasol

Enjoy the nutty taste of ube in this classic sweet and chewy espasol snack that is a local favorite. Be awestruck with the nostalgic taste of this snack and bring it back home to family in the province when you travel for the holidays.

The journey of ube from the fields to your plates is much more than a supply chain — it is a story of community, culture, and creativity. Through this initiative, Astoria-ACES has strengthened the connection between farmers and consumers, created groundbreaking products like the Astoria Philippine Ube Powder, and inspired a new wave of Filipino desserts.

As this initiative continues to grow, so does a promising future where local ingredients thrive, farmers flourish, and Filipino flavors shine even brighter on the global culinary map. With every spoonful of purple goodness, we celebrate not just a beloved dessert ingredient, but the people and passion behind it.

Interested to try out your culinary skills to create a new version of your favorite desserts? Contact Astoria Culinary Expert Services to purchase your new secret ingredient via:

Mobile: (+63) 998-535-2919
Landline: (+63 2) 8687-1111 locals 8125 and 8172
Email: [email protected]

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to [email protected].

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.