Looking at the menu of any boba shop, chances are they probably have ‘Taro’ listed as one of their flavors. But what exactly is Taro? Here at Pochi Bubble Tea Cafe, it’s one of our staples. In fact, this year 21% of ALL CREAMY SHAKES served were either a Taro or Taro-Oreo Shake. So why do people like Taro so much? And, is taro the same as ube? We’re here to answer those questions!

Taro is one of the oldest cultivated veggies around—believed to be one of the first foods domesticated by humans over 8,000 years ago. Taro is a tropical plant that is grown for its starchy, edible roots, which are a staple food in many parts of the world. The plant is native to Southeast Asia, and it is grown in many other tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

The root vegetable has a light, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that goes well with the milk, sugar, and tea used to make milk tea. The taste is comparable to sweet potato but with a lighter flavor profile and subtle vanilla undertones.

Taro Milk Tea with Rainbow Jelly from Pochi Bubble Tea Cafe

The main differences between taro and ube are their origin, the shape and color of their roots, and their flavor and traditional uses. Taro is native to Southeast Asia and has white or light purple roots, while ube (also known as purple yam) is native to the Philippines and has purple roots. Taro has a starchy, slightly sweet flavor and is often used as a substitute for potatoes, while ube has a sweet, nutty flavor and is used primarily in desserts and sweet dishes.

Last January, we debuted an ube crema to our menu. Just like our regular crema, this adds a hint of ube flavor to any drink you desire. We are beyond excited to be bringing it back to the menu for 2023! It is available now while supplies last.

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Now that you can call yourself an expert on the differences between taro and ube, here are a few of our recommendations the next time you want to order a taro or ube drink: