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Philippine root crop ‘ube' can go beyond dessert -- use it as a savory side dish, too

Philippine root crop ‘ube' can go beyond dessert -- use it as a savory side dish, too

Korea Herald6 days ago
MANILA, Philippines (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) -- Root crops have long been a staple in many cultures across the globe. In Africa, yams and sweet potatoes dominate everyday food as root crops are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They have also proven to be resilient in the face of climate change, surviving the most drastic of weather shocks. Root crops are a good alternative to grain carbohydrates as their fibrous make-up slows down digestion, releasing the energy more slowly.
In the Philippines, the most popular root crops are ube and kamote, the latter gaining a somewhat lowly reputation, used in a derogatory sense such as "magtanim ka na lang ng kamote" referring to those who are somewhat hopeless in other jobs or trades, used as an insult, especially when driving, "Tingnan mo yan, kamote talaga!"
Ube, on the other hand, has taken on a higher profile, now recognized internationally as a truly Filipino flavor. Its latest incarnation: a version of the viral Dubai chocolate made with pistachio and baklava, now made with ube.
In 2023, Forbes magazine named ube the "Uber ingredient of 2023," citing that Americans first became familiar with the Filipino purple yam in 2015 when the Manila Social Club created a $100 ube-filled donut, made with Cristal champagne, ube mousse and champagne jelly, covered with 24 karat gold.
Across America, Filipino American chefs have brought ube to the forefront in the form of pancakes, horchata, ube jam spread, mochi, and even a halo-halo cocktail, highlighted by the sweet ube puree.
All over the world, ube has come to be recognized as an ingredient in dessert. Most would not recognize a real ube tuber if they saw one: Its exterior is gnarled, brown, and full of roots, a far cry from the lavish lavender color one will find inside.
Also known as purple yam, ube is native to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The flavor of ube is distinct: mild, but with a nutty (almost coconutty) aftertaste. Unless it is mixed with lots of sugar, ube has a very mild impact on the taste buds. Much like its yellow or orange cousins -- the sweet potato -- ube has a mild sweet taste that complements savory food, and can be utilized as a good side dish to most roasts and saucy dishes.
Ube has a fibrous and almost porous texture that allows it to absorb flavors well. In its boiled form, ube has a lower calorie content compared to kamote, making it a good option as a carbohydrate for a meal. Moreover, ube's purple color makes it rich in anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant, and adds a pop of color to your plate.
While ube is enjoying its place in the culinary world, it is very much a staple in Filipino agriculture and culture alike. Filipinos have been consuming ube since before the Spanish arrived, and long before it hit the shelves of Trader Joe's. More than an ingredient du jour, such as matcha, salted caramel, and pistachio, ube will remain a big part of the Filipino diet even long after the hype has died down.
Utilizing ube in everyday meals is a novel way to increase one's diet diversity without all the added sugar. Ube mash is a perfect side dish to roast chicken, grilled fish, or pot roast.
Ube's texture is somewhat grainier compared to kamote as its fibers are seemingly larger, giving it a distinct texture. A little bit of milk (dairy or non-dairy work just fine) can be added in to smooth out its texture, along with butter to add to its creaminess.
Ube recipes also work well with the flavors of garlic and onion through sauteeing. Infusing the ube with the garlic and onion using a little heat makes the flavors more harmonious, rather than finding clumps of garlic one's mash. One would find that a whole ube goes a long way; because of its density, one person will only consume about half a cup.
Ube is not only gorgeous on a plate but also budget-friendly and will prove to be a showstopper at your next dinner.
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'US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline'
'US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline'

Korea Herald

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  • Korea Herald

'US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline'

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Trump administration is more concerned with the quality of trade agreements than their timing, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for countries to secure trade deals or face steep tariffs. "We're not going to rush for the sake of doing deals," Bessent told CNBC. Asked whether the deadline could be extended for countries engaged in productive talks with Washington, Bessent said US President Donald Trump would decide. "We'll see what the president wants to do. But again, if we somehow boomerang back to the Aug. 1 tariff, I would think that a higher tariff level will put more pressure on those countries to come with better agreements," he said. Trump has upended the global economy with a trade war that has targeted most US trading partners, but his administration has fallen far short of its plan to clinch deals with dozens of countries. Negotiations with India, the European Union, Japan, and others have proven more trying than expected. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Trump could discuss trade when he meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Tuesday. She said the Trump administration remained engaged with countries around the world and could announce more trade deals or send more letters notifying countries of the tariff rate they faced before Aug. 1, but gave no details. Leavitt's comments came as European Union diplomats said they were exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the US, given fading prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington. An increasing number of EU members, including Germany, are now considering using "anti-coercion" measures that would let the bloc target US services or curb access to public tenders in the absence of a deal, diplomats said. "The negotiations over the level of tariffs are currently very intense," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a press conference. "The Americans are quite clearly not willing to agree to a symmetrical tariff arrangement." On China, Bessent said there would be "talks in the very near future." "I think trade is in a good place, and I think, now we can start talking about other things. The Chinese, unfortunately ... are very large purchasers of sanctioned Iranian oil, sanctioned Russian oil," he said. "We could also discuss the elephant in the room, which is this great rebalancing that the Chinese need to do." US officials have long complained about China's overcapacity in various manufacturing sectors, including steel. Bessent told CNBC he would encourage Europe to follow the United States if it implements secondary tariffs on Russia. The Treasury chief, who returned from a visit to Japan on Sunday, said the administration was less concerned with the Asian country's domestic politics than with getting the best deal for Americans. Japan's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa departed for trade talks in Washington on Monday morning, his eighth visit in three months, after the ruling coalition of Japanese Premier Shigeru Ishiba suffered a bruising defeat in upper house elections shaped in part by voter frustration over US tariffs. Indian trade negotiators returned to New Delhi after almost a week of talks in Washington, but officials were losing hope of signing an interim trade deal before the Aug. 1 deadline, government sources said.

With 'smoke, fire and steam,' China's night markets erupt into life
With 'smoke, fire and steam,' China's night markets erupt into life

Korea Herald

time2 days ago

  • Korea Herald

With 'smoke, fire and steam,' China's night markets erupt into life

ZHENGDING, China (China Daily/ANN) — As dusk falls over the ancient county of Zhengding in Hebei province, a remarkable transformation begins — a vast parking lot near the train station empties, making way for hundreds of brightly lit food carts. Within hours, the Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market erupts into life — a symphony of sizzling pans, shouting vendors, and the chatter of thousands of eager visitors. This nightly scene pulses with yanhuoqi — literally "smoke, fire and steam" — providing a lively, lantern-lit atmosphere fundamental to Chinese night markets. Remarkably, Zhengding's connection to this vibrant nightlife stretches back more than 10 centuries. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as China gradually abolished curfews, Zhengding (then Zhending) emerged as a regional administrative center and one of the pioneers of nighttime commerce. "Zhengding is a place with a night economy that emerged from over 1,000 years ago," said Liang Yong, a researcher at the Hebei Provincial Institute of Culture and History. According to Liang, the county's strategic importance and strong commercial base fostered early forms of night markets. Later, during the Mongol Empire and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it became the birthplace of zaju, Chinese variety dramas, further boosting nighttime gatherings. Historical records, like those by the 14th-century scholar Naxin, describing lantern-lit crowds near Yanghe Tower, filled with theaters and wealthy traders, paint a picture of enduring nocturnal energy. Naxin, also known by his ethnic name Geluolu Naixian, wrote Heshuo Fanggu Ji — a record of his visits to ancient sites around the Yellow River basin and various northern regions. Compiled during his 14th-century travels, it documented the vibrant fusion of entertainment, dining, and international commerce around the tower. In 2012, Li Zhangchao, one of the founders of the greater Zhengding Small Commodities Market, put forward an initiative encouraging mall tenants inside the market complex to set up evening stalls in a vast adjacent street and parking lot. "Back then, Zhengding was dark by 9 pm," said Li, now 72, who recalled that back then he couldn't find anything to eat or buy at night. However, his initiative soon got off the ground. "The location was strategic — an urban-rural fringe bordering villages like Sanjiao and Yong'an," said Liu Guangdi, chairman of the Zhengding Small Commodities City Group, which manages the market and the nearby wholesale-retail complex. As rural residents returned home from city jobs in the evenings, dense pedestrian flows created strong demand for snacks and small goods, she added. According to Liu, the market grew naturally. Streetlights were installed, hours were extended, and fees were initially waived to attract vendors. During urban upgrades of the county, authorities also channeled street vendors into the designated market zone. Tasting success Today, the market is a popular landmark, covering 10,000 square meters and with over 600 stalls. It attracts 10,000 to 30,000 visitors nightly, and generated an estimated 400 million yuan ($55.8 million) in annual revenue last year. It has created 2,500 jobs, particularly for those without higher education, said Liu. At its heart, are entrepreneurs like 39-year-old Lu Yang whose journey is an example of the market's ability to change people's lives. Arriving in 2019, after his parents' street vending business failed in nearby Shijiazhuang, Lu tried a number of food ventures before spotting a gap in the night market — hearty, savory staples for northern palates. He then traveled to Wuhan, Hubei province, to master how to make reganmian, or hot dry noodles. "People in northern China crave saltiness, rather than sweetness," Lu said. After two years of trial and error, he abandoned sugar and bean sprouts, and chose nine toppings favored by customers in Zhengding, including pickled beans, peanuts, chili oil, and scallions. "It was a painful process," Lu said. "Every failed attempt meant wasted ingredients." But his persistence paid off. A breakthrough came courtesy of his smartphone. He started filming his steaming kitchen, along with snaking lines and satisfied customers, and posted clips on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. His number of followers soared to 100,000, landing his stall on local "must-eat" lists. His sales of reganmian exploded to 700 to 800 bowls midweek and over 1,000 on weekends. Lu now employs seven workers and rents four adjacent stalls just to keep up with demand. "During the peak last April, I survived on three hours' sleep for 20 days," he recalled, wiping sweat from his brow as it neared midnight, his shirt dusted with flour. He proudly said that while nearly 20 stalls sold hot dry noodles during last year's peak, now only a few "winners" like him are left. A social media post went viral in April 2024, attracting over 100,000 daily visitors at one point. The number of visitors reached 3 million last year, according to Liu, from the market management group. "It's impressively large and lively, with affordable food from across China, though I'd like to see more distinctive Zhengding snacks among the offerings," said Zhang Long, a Beijing resident who traveled to the county after seeing stories about it online. He visited the market with several friends. "When we went in, we were all very hungry. When we came out, we felt like we were about to burst. There was so much delicious food. We couldn't even eat it all," Zhang said. Wang Li, 42, a local middle school Chinese teacher and mother of two, said her family's weekly ritual is to cycle 3 kilometers to the night market to eat. "It has become a must-go recreational place for us locals," she said. "Seeing our county's humble market trend nationally feels incredible. It proves just how expansive and delicious our offerings are," she said proudly. Ensuring quality The numerous visitors to the night market brought not only locals' pride, and fame and stronger sales for the market, but also significant challenges, Liu said. At the time, visitors complained about traffic gridlock, excess garbage, and spotty mobile signals hindering payments. "Although our night market is quite large, its capacity is limited. Therefore, when there was a sudden surge in visitors last year, it led to some negative experiences, such as having to queue up at every food stall," Liu said, adding they immediately sought to solve the issues with strong support from the local government. Among many measures, network providers upgraded base stations and deployed 5G micro-stations. The market added 50 cleaners and a 6-metric-ton mobile garbage compactor. Portable toilets were installed to address long lines for the bathroom. Cao Ming, from the Zhengding County Urban Management Bureau, said their multipronged approach included strict food hygiene protocols, enhanced sanitation, dedicated patrols for order and safety, and a "specialized cylinder" system for gas safety. "We practice precision management with friendly service, so visitors can have a good experience here in Zhengding," Cao said. Zhao Yanling, 53, sells handmade dumplings. He said quality is non-negotiable when it comes to customers' satisfaction. "We use only fresh pork slaughtered the same day, not frozen, and fresh vegetables — no shortcuts. Customers trust us," he said. With 11 different fillings, his commitment to quality has paid off. "Quality comes first, and slowly but surely, the number of repeat customers is increasing," Zhao said. His stall's success allowed him to buy two family apartments in Zhengding. "I came with nothing," Zhao said, adding he is grateful for the opportunity the market provided, especially with the help and guidance from founder Li Zhangchao on fair stall rentals and running a food business. Increasing numbers of visitors have further propelled Zhengding's overall tourism, which features night tours of ancient city walls and light shows near temples. The county's tourism has swelled in popularity in recent years after upgrades to its ancient sites and tourism spots. Hotels near the market have reported 40 percent occupancy spikes, and taxi drivers' nightly earnings have doubled, Liu said. "The night market and cultural tourism fuel each other," said Zhang Xiaofang, deputy director of Zhengding's culture and tourism bureau. The county has leveraged its heritage, integrating the market with scenic night views, light shows, and night tours at scenic spots like Rongguo Mansion, Zhang said. Free parking across the county and access to drinking water at key attractions have also boosted visitor satisfaction. 'Sleepless city' awakes In another ancient capital, Kaifeng in Henan province, the legacy of a 1,000-year-old night market is being kept alive through an emphasis on immersive cultural heritage. Kaifeng, also known as Dongjing, was the eastern capital during the Northern Song period. A vivid description from the Song Dynasty chronicle Dongjing Meng Hua Lu — Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor — captures the nocturnal activities of the former imperial capital: "Night markets lasted until the third watch or midnight, and reopened as early as the fifth watch at around 3 to 5 am". Today, Kaifeng has transformed this heritage into Dasongbuyecheng or the Great Song Dynasty Sleepless City, where a dazzling tapestry of history, culture and modern vitality intertwine after dark. "Kaifeng's night markets are a living continuation of a thousand years of Song Dynasty charm," said Guo Juan, director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division at Kaifeng's Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau. "From the night bustle of the Northern Song era to today's night markets, they fundamentally reflect the Chinese yearning for vibrant nighttime cultural life," she said. Kaifeng now boasts two national-level and eight provincial-level nighttime cultural tourism consumption clusters, as well as 12 scenic spots operating night tours, forming a rich "sleepless city" portfolio, Guo said. "People taste delicious food, and feel the depth of culture at the same time," she said. Hui Dong, an associate professor of the School of History and Culture at Henan University, said Kaifeng's advantage lies in its deep-rooted night market cultural tradition. "The night markets here have transcended the realm of pure dining, forming a multidimensional night economy ecosystem where diverse elements converge and integrate," Hui said. For Bai Jianchao, a 4th-generation inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage known as Bainian Baiji peanut cake craft, this revival is exciting. "From our single-flavor handmade cakes in 1912 to today's cultural-creative product lines, it's been a century of integrating heritage and innovation," he said. Young people dressed in hanfu, a traditional Chinese garment, at night markets, and parents teaching their children traditional crafts are evidence of a cultural resurgence, he said. "This is cultural confidence made tangible," he said. Bai believes places like Zhengding, Kaifeng, and Zibo in Shandong province, which saw a barbecue craze in 2023, are linked by a common cultural thread. "From Zibo's BBQ craze to Kaifeng's continuing buzz and Zhengding's authentic vibe, it's about fulfilling a basic need for yanhuoqi for ordinary people," Bai said, adding it is more attractive than high-end consumption to most people. He believes the ancient tradition of night markets is experiencing a vibrant renaissance. "Each model, though distinct, powerfully demonstrates the enduring economic engine and cultural magnetism of yanhuoqi, or lantern-lit vibrancy," said Bai, adding the markets provide livelihoods for thousands, offer affordable enjoyment for millions, and serve as potent symbols of local identity and cultural confidence.

Trump, Xi may meet ahead of or during APEC summit
Trump, Xi may meet ahead of or during APEC summit

Korea Herald

time3 days ago

  • Korea Herald

Trump, Xi may meet ahead of or during APEC summit

US President Donald Trump might visit China before going to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, or he could meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC event in South Korea, the South China Morning Post reported on Sunday citing multiple sources. The two countries have been trying to negotiate an end to an escalating tit-for-tat tariff war that has upended global trade and supply chains. The two sides have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders in the region this year, but they have not confirmed a date or location yet, according to a person familiar with the matter. Trump has sought to impose tariffs on US importers for virtually all foreign goods, which he says will stimulate domestic manufacturing and which critics say will make many consumer goods more expensive for Americans. He has called for a universal base tariff rate of 10 percent on goods imported from all countries, with higher rates for imports from the most "problematic" ones, including China: imports from there now have the highest tariff rate of 55 percent. Trump has set a deadline of Aug. 12 for the US and China to reach a durable tariffs agreement. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment about the reported plans for a meeting with Xi in the autumn. The two countries' most recent high-level meeting was on July 11, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had what both described as a productive and positive meeting in Malaysia about how trade negotiations should proceed. Rubio said then that Trump had been invited to China to meet with Xi, and said that both leaders "want it to happen." On Friday, China Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China wants to bring its trade ties with the US back to a stable footing and that recent talks in Europe showed there was no need for a tariff war. (Reuters)

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