What is Ube Pear Called in English? The African Fruit Explained

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Despite the name, the fruit known as ube pear is not a hybrid but rather a West and Central African fruit often confused with the Filipino purple yam, which also goes by the name ube. This distinction is key for anyone exploring unique ingredients or African culinary traditions.

Quick Summary

This article explains the English names for the African fruit called ube, identifying it as the African pear or butter fruit, and clarifies its distinction from the Filipino purple yam.

Key Points

African Name Clarity: The term "ube pear" refers to the West African fruit, Dacryodes edulis, known locally as ube.
English Names: The most common English names for this fruit are African pear, bush pear, or butter fruit.
Culinary Profile: When heated, the African pear develops a soft, buttery, and creamy texture, making it a popular snack.
Not a Purple Yam: The African pear is entirely distinct from the Filipino purple yam (Dioscorea alata), despite the shared name "ube".
Preparation Methods: The African pear is best enjoyed cooked, either by boiling, roasting, or soaking in hot water, often paired with roasted corn.
Nutritional Value: The fruit is rich in healthy fats, vitamins (like C and E), and antioxidants.

Deciphering the Name: The African 'Ube'

The term "ube pear" can be misleading due to the separate identity of the Filipino purple yam, which is also called ube. The fruit in question, the African ube (Dacryodes edulis), has several English names that more accurately describe its nature and origin. Commonly, it is referred to as "African pear" or "bush pear." Its soft, rich, and creamy texture when cooked also earns it the name "butter fruit". This fruit is indigenous to the humid forests of West and Central Africa and is a significant food source there. It is often enjoyed with roasted corn.

The African Pear: Description and Characteristics

The African pear is an oblong fruit with dark blue or purple skin when ripe. The flesh is pale green and becomes soft and buttery upon heating. It contains a large seed. The flavor is described as tangy when raw and buttery when cooked. It's a nutritious fruit, rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.

African Pear vs. Filipino Purple Yam: A Tale of Two Ubes

A common source of confusion is the Filipino purple yam (Dioscorea alata), which is also called ube but is very different from the African pear. While both share the name and can appear purple, they are distinct in type, origin, and culinary use.

Comparison Table: African Pear vs. Filipino Purple Yam


Feature	African Pear (Dacryodes edulis)	Filipino Purple Yam (Dioscorea alata)
Origin	West and Central Africa	Southeast Asia (specifically the Philippines)
Type	Fruit (fleshy drupe)	Tuber (starchy yam)
Appearance	Purple to dark blue skin, pale green to creamy flesh	Brown, bark-like skin, vibrant purple flesh
Taste	Buttery and creamy when cooked, slightly tangy when raw	Sweet, earthy with hints of vanilla or pistachio
Common Uses	Roasted, boiled, or soaked in hot water; often eaten with roasted corn	Used mainly in desserts like ice cream, cake, and jam (ube halaya)
Preparation	Eaten cooked to soften the flesh	Boiled, mashed, or pureed for desserts

Preparing and Enjoying the African Pear

Unlike the Filipino ube used in desserts, the African pear is typically cooked. Common methods include boiling, roasting, or soaking in hot water. It's often enjoyed with roasted or boiled corn.

The Cultural Significance of the African Pear

The African pear holds cultural and economic importance in its native regions, contributing to food security and supporting local economies. Parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine. It's a seasonal fruit, often available during the rainy season. More details can be found on its {Link: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacryodes_edulis}.

Conclusion

In summary, "ube pear" refers to the African pear or butter fruit, Dacryodes edulis, a distinct fruit from the Filipino purple yam also called ube. The African pear is a nutrient-rich, buttery fruit from West and Central Africa, enjoyed cooked as a snack. Its texture and flavor differ significantly from the starchy, sweeter purple yam used in desserts. Using the correct names helps appreciate this fruit's unique traits and cultural significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, they are different. The ube pear is a buttery African fruit (Dacryodes edulis), while the popular purple yam is a starchy Filipino tuber (Dioscorea alata), and both are confusingly called ube.

The African ube is also known as the African pear, bush pear, or butter fruit in English.

The African pear is typically cooked before eating by boiling, roasting, or soaking it in hot water until the flesh becomes soft and creamy.

When cooked, the flesh has a rich, buttery, and creamy texture. It has a slightly tangy taste when eaten raw.

The name butter fruit comes from its consistency when heated, which becomes soft and rich like butter.

This fruit tree is native to West and Central Africa and grows in humid tropical forests.

Yes, it is a highly nutritious fruit rich in healthy fats, vitamins C and E, potassium, and powerful antioxidants.