Ube Milk Tea vs. Taro Milk Tea: Everything You Need to Know

Milk tea has rocketed to global fame and adoration in a wide variety of flavors most commonly found in cafes, restaurants and now ready-to-drink cans at Twrl Milk Tea. Among them, two of the most popular varieties are ube milk tea and taro milk tea. We’re here to help you note the key differences between the oft conflated ingredients in these drinks. 

Ube milk tea is a unique twist on the classic black milk tea. Ube is a nutritious low-glycemic purple yam packed with antioxidants, and beloved for its nutty, vanilla-like flavor. Prized for its versatility, ube is often used in sweet baking applications such as cakes and pastries and is especially common in Filipino cuisine. In Twrl’s Ube Milk Tea the flavor of the yam seamlessly combines with the creaminess of pea milk and the earthy quality of mulberry tea to yield a pale purple beverage.

Taro milk tea, on the other hand, is made with taro root, a starchy, tuberous root vegetable that is commonly used throughout Southeast Asian cuisine. The taro root has a milder taste and is lightly sweet with a starchy flavor ideal for savory dishes such as stews and soups. Taro is usually mashed or pureed before being added to milk tea. Much like ube, the taro root gives milk tea a purple hue. 

Nutrition

• From a health perspective, ube is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for health-conscious individuals. Additionally, ube has a higher content of essential nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, which are crucial for maintaining overall health. Taro, though less nutritionally dense than ube, is rich in fiber and Vitamin E.

Texture

• In terms of texture, both ube milk tea and taro milk tea have a creamy consistency thanks to the milk used in their preparation. However, Ube milk tea is generally smoother and creamier than Taro milk tea; taro can sometimes have a slightly grainy texture due to the process of mashing the taro root.

While Ube milk tea and Taro milk tea are similar at first glance, they have several distinct differences in flavor, nutrition, texture, and regionality. Both varieties are delicious and offer a unique twist on classic milk tea. We invite you to explore the many flavors of milk tea and delight in discovery of new-to-you ingredients along the way!