ORGANIC MACA, gelatinized powder

General Information

Botanical name: Lepidium meyenii
Certified organic
Origin: Peru

Production

This maca powder is gelatinized, meaning the dried root is boiled down to eliminate the starch and increase digestibility. The cooked pulp is then dried and powdered, resulting in a concentrate rich in bioavailable nutrients.

Qualities

Maca is a root vegetable belonging to the radish family and has been cultivated by the native people of Peru for over 2000 years. It thrives in the harsh conditions at elevations between 10,000 and 15,000 feet and is grown by subsistence farmers using traditional farming practices, providing them with a sustainable source of income in a region where little else grows.

Common use

Maca has been a sacred and staple crop for the people of the high Andes for centuries where it was consumed cooked as a root vegetable or made into flour to produce bread and baked goods. Its flavor has been described as slightly sweet, “malted”, or like toasted oats. These days, maca powder is mostly enjoyed in smoothies, energy bars, puddings, raw sweets, juices, etc.

Maca’s benefits have been valued for centuries and have recently been popularized as a supplement and food ingredient as it is naturally high in minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc), contains up to 20 essential fatty acids, lipids, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, sterols, and amino acids. Maca is often recommended to help with adrenal fatigue as it is considered an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to environmental factors by reducing stress hormones. It is also believed to promote sexual health in both men and women by balancing hormones and increasing fertility. Similar to the Incan warriors that reportedly consumed maca to fuel their legendary strength for battle, athletes today take maca to enhance endurance and stamina and boost their energy to achieve peak performance.