Ube Latte in Sunbury: What It Tastes Like and Where to Try One

An ube latte is a creamy, lightly sweet purple latte made with ube, the violet-fleshed purple yam from the Philippines. At The Spotted Owl, 93 O’Shanassy St, Sunbury, the ube latte is one of the cafe’s signature lattes, sitting alongside the pistachio and matcha lattes, and it is listed on the hot drinks menu from $5.50 to $6.50.

If you have seen a bright lavender drink on your feed and wondered whether it is worth ordering, this guide covers what it is, what it tastes like, why it is purple, how it compares with matcha and chai, and how to order one in Sunbury. Everything about the cafe below comes from the Spotted Owl website, and anything we cannot confirm is flagged so you can ask the team in person.

What Is an Ube Latte?

It is a milk-based drink flavoured with ube (pronounced “oo-beh”), a purple yam. According to Fine Dining Lovers, ube is a yam (Dioscorea alata) native to the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia, grown for centuries as both a staple food and a festive ingredient. It is a true yam, not a purple sweet potato.

In the Philippines, ube is best known in desserts such as ube halaya (a sweet jam), ice cream and halo-halo. Wikipedia’s entry on Dioscorea alata notes that its name comes from Tagalog and that it features in cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, tarts and more. Cafes around the world now borrow that dessert flavour and turn it into a latte, which is why you will often see ube listed beside matcha and pistachio on modern menus.

The short version: it is a sweet, creamy purple drink built on ube rather than on a flavour you already know from coffee. Because recipes differ from cafe to cafe, the best way to find out exactly what is in yours is to ask when you order.

What Does an Ube Latte Taste Like?

It tastes mildly sweet, creamy and nutty, with soft notes of vanilla and coconut and a gentle earthiness. Fine Dining Lovers describes ube as more floral and creamy than orange sweet potato and “often described as a cross between white chocolate and pistachio”. That description explains why ube pairs so well with milk.

If you are trying your first cup, a few ideas help set expectations:

• It is not a coffee-forward drink. The flavour leads with a sweet, vanilla-like creaminess rather than bitterness.
• It is smooth rather than sharp. People who find matcha grassy or chai spicy often enjoy the rounder taste of ube.
• It is gently nutty. That nuttiness is why it sits so naturally next to the pistachio latte on the Spotted Owl menu.

Texture matters as much as flavour. A well-made cup should feel smooth and evenly mixed, with the colour consistent from the first sip to the last rather than settling into streaks or sediment. Milk that has been steamed properly adds a silky body that lifts the gentle sweetness, which is one reason a drink like this tastes better when a barista makes it fresh to order than when it is stirred together quickly at home.

Why Is an Ube Latte Purple?

The drink is purple because ube root itself is a deep violet colour. The colour comes from anthocyanins, the same family of pigments found in blueberries and eggplant, according to Fine Dining Lovers. Wikipedia’s entry on Dioscorea alata adds that anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments and that purple yams contain more of them than sweet potatoes do.

The exact shade in your cup depends on how the drink is made, including the amount of ube used and the milk it is mixed with. Expect anything from soft lilac to a richer violet. A colour that looks very bright is not a problem in itself, but if you want to know how a particular cafe gets its colour, it is fair to ask.

It is also worth separating ube from taro, which is often confused with it. Ube is sweeter and used mainly in desserts, while taro has greyish or lavender flesh and a subtler, nutty taste that suits savoury dishes.

Ube Latte at The Spotted Owl in Sunbury

The Spotted Owl describes itself as a local cafe in central Sunbury built on a love of food, coffee and community. Its coffee comes from Axil Coffee Roasters, drinks are made to order, and the website lists “signature Pistachio, Ube, and Matcha lattes” as part of the line-up. You can read more about the cafe on the About Us page.

On the current menu, the Ube Latte appears in the hot drinks section at $5.50 to $6.50. Here is how it sits among the other specialty lattes listed there:

Prices and availability can change, so check the live menu before you visit. If you like the sound of the other signature drinks, our guides to the best coffee in Sunbury and the green matcha latte in Sunbury cover them in more detail.

Ube Latte vs Matcha Latte vs Chai Latte

This drink differs from matcha and chai mainly in its base ingredient. Ube is a root vegetable, matcha is powdered green tea leaf and chai is a spiced tea. That one difference shapes the flavour, colour and how each drink feels to sip.

If you already love the Spotted Owl chai, our chai latte guide explains the dirty and muddy options. If you want something gentler and sweeter, ube is a good place to start. Because the Spotted Owl is a cafe that makes drinks to order, you can ask the barista which one suits your taste.

Who Will Enjoy This Purple Drink?

Ube suits people who like sweet, creamy drinks, anyone who enjoys pistachio or white chocolate flavours, and curious diners who want to try a Filipino-inspired ingredient without committing to a whole dessert. It is also a friendly choice if you find plain coffee too bitter, though the recipe is worth checking if you are avoiding caffeine.

How to Order Your Ube Latte

Ordering one at The Spotted Owl is simple, and a few quick questions will get you the cup you want.

• Check the size. The menu shows a price range of $5.50 to $6.50, so ask which cup size your price covers.
• Choose your milk. The menu lists alternative milks for $1.00: almond, soy, coconut, oat and lactose free.
• Ask about the recipe. The website does not state whether the drink contains coffee, caffeine or added sweetener, so ask the team if that matters to you.
• Mention allergies early. The menu warns that traces of gluten, nuts and dairy may be present because of cross-contamination, so speak to staff if you have an allergy or intolerance.
• Decide hot, takeaway or dine in. You can sit in, take your cup away, or order through Uber Eats, Menulog or DoorDash.

We have not confirmed whether an iced version is available, so please ask before you plan on one.

What to Eat With an Ube Latte

It is on the sweeter side, so it works well with food that is either savoury or gently sweet. These pairings come straight from the Spotted Owl menu:

• Fruit Toast ($12.00): a simple, lightly sweet match for a creamy purple latte.
• Creme Brulee French Toast ($25.00): a dessert-style brunch for a slow weekend morning.
• House-Made Muesli ($20.00): a lighter option if you want something fresh beside your drink.
• Egg and Bacon Roll or Toastie ($15.00): a savoury counterpoint if you want the latte to feel like a treat.
• Ham and Cheese Toastie ($9.00): a quick bite when you are on the go.

Browse the full menu for breakfast, lunch, kids meals and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, which are marked on the page.

Can You Make an Ube Latte at Home?

You can, though results vary. Fine Dining Lovers lists ube as available as fresh root, frozen puree, powder, extract or jam, so home versions usually start from one of those. Mixing ube with warm milk and a little sweetener gives a basic version, but a cafe latte benefits from fresh, well-textured milk, which is much of the appeal of having a barista make it for you.

If you only want to try the flavour, ordering one at the cafe is the easiest way to find out whether you like it before buying a packet of powder.

Plan Your Visit to The Spotted Owl

The Spotted Owl is at 93 O’Shanassy St, Sunbury VIC 3429, a short walk from Sunbury Station. Opening hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm
• Public holidays: 8:00 am to 2:30 pm

You can book a table online through the Book A Table button, and groups can be arranged by phone on (03) 9740 2120 or by email. Full details are on the Contact Us page, and you can see the room and the food on the gallery page. Note that the menu states no split bills on weekends or public holidays, and a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays.

Final Thoughts on Trying Ube

This purple drink is soft, sweet and creamy, and it rewards the curious. It does not taste like coffee, matcha or chai, and that is the point. If you are in Sunbury and want to try one, The Spotted Owl lists the ube latte as a signature drink from $5.50 to $6.50, made to order with your choice of milk.

Pop in between 7:00 am and 2:30 pm, ask the team how they make theirs, and pair it with something from the menu. If you try it, you may find it becomes your new regular.