Purple reins: Philippine export ban casts shadow over UK’s love of ube

As Britain goes mad for yam, shortage of planting material and concerns over control of crop prompts sales halt In a corner of north London on a weekday morning, Filipino cuisine is thriving: diners at Mama & Sons in Kentish Town are making their choices, and one of the most popular items on the menu is the ube ice-cream sandwich. It’s easy to see the appeal of the light, fluffy bun encasing a purple scoop of ice-cream. The owner of the cafe, Omar Shah, says ube – a vibrantly purple root vegetable long-beloved in the Philippines – has exploded in popularity in the UK. Just when he thinks it has reached its peak, it becomes “even more popular”. And this year, he says, has been no exception. Continue reading...