Oh, and it’s being paired with another iconic, equally vibrant, and chromatic food: matcha.
“Babe, wake up. An iconic duo just dropped.” That was the conversation we had with ourselves when we heard Kapwa Gardens, San Francisco’s healing and culture space that highlights the city’s thriving Filipino community, announced its ube food festival, Yum Yams, is returning next month, following its prior festival held in September of 2022.
What’s even more exciting about the event’s 2023 iteration? Matcha will be joining the chat, thanks to a collaboration with Japantown’s KOHO SF; the partnership exists as a means to elevate and celebrate AAPI month.
“Just as the purple yam known as ube has become a signature flavor of Filipino Culture, the finely ground green tea powder matcha has been an integral part of Japanese culinary culture for centuries,” reads a press release from the nonprofit. “This event not only pays homage to the rich agricultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions of the Philippines and Japan but symbolizes an important new partnership.”
Fiscally sponsored by Kultivate Labs — the same entity that represents Kapwa Gardens — KOHO SF hopes to revitalize its cultural district, Japantown, through arts and culture. (This renewal and signal boosting are done by “preserving heritage and creating thriving commercial corridors for historically overlooked communities,” Kultivate Labs writes.)
Much like last year, Yum Yams will host a bevy of local vendors selling all sorts of edible (and non-edible!) artisanal goods. For 2023, 25 vendors are expected to sell at the event; The Purple Mix, Zuly’s Goodies, and Uji Time are Bay Area-based sellers we are especially excited to hand over our monies to in exchange for purple and green delicacies.
Better yet? Yum Yams remains free to attend, though a donation to the Gardens is recommended to help it continue throwing these kinds of events well into the future.
Yum Yam’s will take place on Saturday, May 13th, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 967 Mission Street; for more information, visit kapwagardens.com/events/ube-meets-matcha.
Feature Image: Courtesy of Kultivate Labs
