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The Philippines is world-renowned for its emerald islands and white-sand shores, but its best-kept secret is ube – a vibrant, purple yam central to Filipino culture.

Seeking to bring a taste of the archipelago to his adopted home, entrepreneur Kyle Russell launched East End Library.

By bridging the gap between Manila and Manchester, Kyle is introducing the UK to underrepresented Southeast Asian flavours, led by his flagship showstopper: the award-winning Ube Cream Liqueur.

Pronounced “oo-beh”, the fruit is a vibrant purple yam from the Philippines, known for its striking colour, sweet nutty taste and hints of vanilla.

So, what is ube?

Kyle Russell, Founder of East End Library

Kyle lives and breathes Manchester, and he immediately saw a gap in the market for this ube. “It could be the next matcha craze,” he said. 

Manchester isn’t a stranger to virality. Matcha. Açai bowls. Korean skincare. Behind each one? Culture. Kyle sees this as a love letter to his roots and aims to encourage people to visit all of the beauty the Philippines has to offer.

To fulfil the dream, East End Library have made a licence application with the council to open a hub here in Manchester between 202-208 Cheetham Hill Road, with big plans to be stocked in a range of restaurants, bars and retailers in and around the city.

Ube Cream Liqueur has already received awards globally. Most recently, the drink won Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, the Product Innovation Award, plus the highly coveted Platinum Award at the SIP Awards. It’s made with true and real ube and sugarcane vodka as a base, both sourced from local farmers. A true celebration of the islands.

Despite this, Kyle realised that some of the amazing drinks from his home haven’t arrived in the UK just yet, nor do people know about it. That needed to change.

How ube celebrates the Philippines

Each bottle of Ube Cream Liqueur is beautifully crafted

Ube plays a significant role in Filipino culture with its unique flavour. Traditionally, the fruit is used in desserts for family gatherings.

The story behind Ube Cream Liqueur is one of celebration. “It brings people together. It’s to be enjoyed with people who bring you joy and Manchester has that same great community. Drinking should be more than just getting drunk,” Kyle said.

East End Library aren’t just selling alcohol, they’re educating people about the Philippines and what it stands for. Community. 

“This [Manchester] was the first place I moved to when I moved from the Philippines,” Kyle continued. “When I go down to London, it still doesn’t pass my mind to leave Manchester.”

How do you drink ube?

Vibrant ube

In Kyle’s words, other ube products in the UK don’t reflect the true taste of the fruit. “Most ube products you see in the UK aren’t actually made with real Ube and with artificial flavouring,” he said. “When you try this [Ube Cream Liqueur], I promise you are going to be transported to the hot tropical islands when you have its true, authentic taste.

“There is so much story of culture and tradition that comes behind every bottle. Hopefully, it makes people want to visit the islands and all of their beauty.”

Bringing ube to the UK feels important. It’s a tradition in Filipino culture. Kyle’s passion for his roots are clear. There is no other flavour that screams Filipino more than ube.

Bringing exotic Filipino flavours to Manchester

Absolutely gorgeous colour

Before the product officially launches, the team have been holding tasting sessions across the city to understand the market and to explore opportunities to bring more exotic flavours to homes across Manchester. 

In Kyle’s eyes, the Philippines has been overlooked for so many years as a country that holds rich culture and produces calamansi, mango, and dalandan. And of course, ube. “I truly believe it’s time, and with the use of the alcohol we bring down, I hope establishing it here in the UK is something we can achieve” Kyle exclaims.

Where can you drink ube in Manchester?

If you fancy a unique taste of the Philippines, this is the product to watch. Ube Cream Liqueur will be available to buy online soon over on the East End Library website.

Tagäy! (cheers in Filipino)

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