Monday, July 5, 2010

Ubi Cilembu

Ubi Cilembu is a cultivar of sweet potato that is originated from the Cilembu village of the Tanjung Sari subdistrict, Sumedang, West Java. This cultivar of sweet potato is very special and highly in demand because of its special characteristics.



Ubi Cilembu has granular/crumbly and fluffier flesh texture and tastes typically sweet - some say it tastes like honey, therefore it is also called "ubi si madu" (honey sweet potato). Because of these characteristics, ubi Cilembu is best served roasted.

Ubi Cilembu is very popular among locals and visitors alike here and as such is highly in demand. Unfortunately, this cultivar has not been successfully cultivated anywhere else but in its native area. The yields of those cultivated elsewhere do not taste as good as those grown in their area of origin. Some say it has to do with the soil condition and characteristics. Ubi Cilembu is best grown on dry land. Therefore, it is available in abundance typically only during the dry season, between June and September.

If you happen to visit Bandung, you may want to taste it. It is usually sold in small roadside vendors like that on the above photo.



This is what the flesh of ubi Cilembu looks like when roasted.

10 comments:

Dina said...

Your pictures of it are so eye-catching.

Hilda said...

Looks amazingly like our kamote. I wonder if they're the same. Tastes great and is wonderfully nutritious. Just one problem with it, and I don't think I want to write it here. Oh I know — remember my June theme day post? ;)

Leif Hagen said...

Oh, they look so sweet and yummy!

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Looks good.

Darryl and Ruth : )

Boom Nisanart said...

Look Yum !!!
and I like your shot...Great focus !

Photo Cache said...

Looks really delicious. I like starchy food.

peppermint said...

Ohhh my, I love eating Ubi Cilembu. Great afternoon snack with tea.

Thomas C B Chua said...

Cooool, must be very tasty. Once a poor man's staple now it is the rich man's snack!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

I love the first photo. well done. I hope all is well.

Unknown said...

A must eat...
:)