Ube Macapuno Ice Cream
Ube Macapuno Ice is an ice cream that features two traditional Filipino ingredients: the vividly colored ube (purple yam) and the uniquely textured, rare coconut variety known as macapuno. Characterized by its striking appearance with vibrant natural purple from the ube and creamy white layers of macapuno, this dessert is known for its rich sweetness and distinctive flavor. Widely enjoyed throughout the Philippines, it has also become increasingly popular in modern cafes and specialty ice cream shops in recent years. In particular, establishments like ""The Lost Bread"" in SM City Baguio, Baguio City, Luzon Island, have attracted significant popularity among both tourists and local residents.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- ? Philippine Peso
- Meal Date
- 1/1/2023
- Food Travel Log
- Appreciation might come from knowledge. At The Lost Bread in Baguio SM Mall, I had "Ube Macapuno Ice Cream." The unique creaminess of Ube matched perfectly with Macapuno, a rare coconut meat found in only 0.15% of wild coconuts. But with research, its cultivation success rate is now 75-100%, showcasing human ingenuity. Suddenly, it feels more precious!
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Ube Macapuno Ice is a dessert ice cream originating from the Philippines, mainly characterized by the vivid purple color of ube (a type of yam, English: Ube, scientific name: Dioscorea alata) combined with the flesh of macapuno (a rare variety of coconut). This sweet treat is a contemporary twist on traditional Filipino dessert culture, known for its striking visual appearance and rich flavor. Ube’s purple and macapuno’s white are often layered, creating a beautiful presentation that has become popular both in the Philippines and abroad.
It is served in places such as the popular sweets shop “The Lost Bread” inside the large shopping mall SM City Baguio, located in Baguio, a summer resort in northern Luzon, and is highly regarded by visitors as a uniquely local taste experience.
About Ube
Ube is a staple root crop representative of the Philippines, and is a kind of yam (scientific name: Dioscorea alata). It is famous for its vibrant purple color and refined sweetness, and is used in various traditional sweets, drinks, and ice cream. Ube has long been cultivated in rural Filipino communities as a traditional ingredient, and is noted for its high nutritional value, including beta-carotene and dietary fiber. Due to its easy-to-manage nature and vivid coloration, it has recently gained attention overseas as a superfood.
Features and Rarity of Macapuno
Macapuno is a rare variety of coconut with gelatinous, extremely creamy flesh that distinguishes it from regular coconuts. In the wild, it is estimated to occur at a probability of around 0.15%, making it extremely difficult to obtain. However, by the late 20th century, advancements in agricultural techniques by Filipino research institutions made it possible to cultivate coconuts with macapuno characteristics at probabilities of 75–100%. The flesh is uniquely soft and creamy, treasured particularly for use in sweets, ice creams, and desserts that make the most of its melt-in-the-mouth texture.
| Item | Ube | Macapuno |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Vivid purple color, mild sweetness | Gelatinous, extremely creamy |
| Uses | Ice cream, cake, bread, etc. | Ice cream, cake, traditional sweets, etc. |
| Availability | Relatively easy | Extremely rare by nature, but accessible due to modern cultivation |
A Hybrid Ice Cream Born from Tradition and Innovation
Ube Macapuno Ice can be described as a modern dessert that fuses the traditional Filipino sweet “ube ice cream” with macapuno, renowned for its unique texture and rarity. Its mellow flavor and attractive appearance allow it to be enjoyed everywhere from local family tables to cafes, restaurants, and even outlets in major shopping malls. Especially in tourist cities like Baguio, it has become a signature dish showcasing local appeal.
The Role of SM City Baguio and The Lost Bread
The city of Baguio is known for its cool climate throughout the year and attracts many tourists. SM City Baguio is a major mall at the city’s center, offering specialty goods and trending food from across the country. The Lost Bread, a sweets brand originating in Manila, is known for its innovative ice creams and drinks. By blending tradition and innovation in their product lines, they continuously offer local culture in new forms.
Summary
Ube Macapuno Ice is a dessert where Filipino food culture, agricultural innovation, and the modern sweets scene converge. The vibrant color and gentle sweetness of ube merge with the rich creaminess of rare macapuno, making this a treat enjoyable visually, texturally, and experientially. As exemplified by The Lost Bread at SM City Baguio, this sweet—while respecting tradition and adding new value—continues to solidify its status as one of the Philippines’ most beloved signature desserts.