As the Christmas season approaches, a group of computer engineering students from STI College Ortigas-Cainta in Rizal has unveiled a game-changing innovation: an automated ube halaya maker. This portable, Arduino-based machine promises to revolutionize the way Filipinos prepare the beloved purple yam dessert, making the labor-intensive process faster, easier, and more efficient.
In a recent segment on 24 Oras's Game Changer, the students demonstrated how their automated machine tackles the most tedious parts of making ube halaya—stirring the mixture to perfection. Traditionally, this process requires constant attention to prevent burning and ensure a smooth texture, often taking several hours.
Streamlining Ube Halaya Preparation
The new machine eliminates the need for manual stirring. “Sometimes the ube would burn because it wasn’t stirred properly,” explains developer Allan Fortunado. “Our design automates this process, making it easier and faster.” The machine begins by grating the boiled purple yam, which is then combined with condensed and evaporated milk. It continues to stir the mixture, ensuring it cooks evenly without any risk of burning.
Faster, More Efficient Dessert Making
The automated machine can handle varying quantities of ube, with different cooking times for 2 to 4 kilograms of yam. “For 2 kilograms, it takes one hour; for 3 kilograms, one and a half hours; and for 4 kilograms, two hours,” says Juan Carlo Ignacio, another developer. This reduces the typical 4-5 hours of manual cooking to just one or two.
Easy Monitoring with Touchscreen Control
Equipped with a touchscreen interface, the machine allows users to monitor the entire cooking process, providing real-time updates and ensuring the perfect batch every time.
With the holiday season around the corner, this innovation is set to make ube halaya preparation faster and more enjoyable for everyone.
