If you’re interested in trying maca root powder for the first time you might be wondering what flavor it has. After all, maca is an unusual food. In fact, did you know that it only grows well in the high mountains of Peru and Bolivia? In those regions of the Andes maca root has been eaten as a staple of the standard diet for thousands of years. And it does have a unique taste. In this article we’ll discuss what maca tastes like and specifically what gelatinized maca tastes like when compared to raw maca.
Maca roots grow in rocky, loose, dry soil at very high elevations. When harvested they are about the size of a small beet. Traditionally maca roots are either boiled or baked for consumption. But the Peruvian government has protected maca as a heritage product and prohibits the sale of whole maca roots, either fresh or dried, outside of Peru. The result is that most of the maca available outside of its native region is in the form of maca powder. (At The Maca Team, we also offer maca chips, which are as close to whole maca roots as legally possible). Maca powder comes in two basic forms, raw and gelatinized. As you can imagine from the title, raw maca powder comes from maca roots that are not heated during drying or processing. This is to preserve nutrients like vitamin C and enzymes at their maximum levels. Gelatinized maca, on the other hand, is heated during processing. The heat is combined with pressure to reduce starch content in the final product, which in turn makes gelatinized maca powder easier to digest. By the way, it does not contain any type of “gelatin” or other ingredient. “Gelatinization” is simply the name of the process used to remove the starch. People with sensitive digestion certainly prefer gelatinized maca over raw maca and there are some other benefits associated with it as well. We’ve written a thorough article covering gelatinized maca that you may like to have a look at yourself.
It’s a bit difficult to pin down the exact taste of gelatinized maca. In a certain sense, it’s something that you really have to experience for yourself. But in general terms, gelatinized maca powder has a subtle earthy taste that has elements of malt or caramel flavor. Most people find it pleasant and warm. And other people really do not care for the taste and choose to take maca capsules or liquid maca extracts instead. One thing to note is that maca blends well with other flavors. In a smoothie, for example, it does not dominate. And it goes particularly well with chocolate and nutty flavors. We have a large variety of recipes using maca that customers have sent us over the years. These recipes continue to come in and that is a testament to the fact the people continue to enjoy the flavor, as well as the benefits of maca. Here are a couple more notes when it comes to the taste of maca powders:
The taste of raw maca is actually quite similar to that of gelatinized maca. It however tends to be a bit stronger in flavor. It can also have subtle hints of spiciness. This is the type of spiciness that you might experience in other roots such as horseradish or wasabi, although it is much milder than either of these. Also, gelatinized maca can have a fuller flavor than raw maca. This is due to the heating process that lends a sort of “toasting” to the gelatinized maca powder that enriches the overall taste.
If you already have some maca and are wondering how to hide the taste of it, we do have a few suggestions.
Whether or not something tastes good depends on the individual and maca root powder is no different. Gelatinized maca powder is a relatively neutral tasting food that combines well with other flavors and offers an excellent nutrient boost. It is very slightly sweet and doesn’t leave an aftertaste. It is milder than raw maca and recommended for anyone who has sensitive digestion. For people who don’t end up liking the taste at all, capsules and extracts are available. We hope this answers your questions about the taste of gelatinized maca. If you need any other support please let us know. We’re always happy to help.Enjoy the day!
I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do!
By Jim Price, The Green Marketing Guru
Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands. It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy
By Michelle Gebbia
I LOVE Maca Team Maca...this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer. The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease (Maca is such powerful medicine :) )
By Lizzie Thompson
I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. ;D The Maca Team’s organic maca is one of them—nine grams in my smoothie, Monday to Saturday. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment. It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. :D
By Jerry Montero
By Milt Thompson
This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished. Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly
By Joy
Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Comparison? Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun. At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all ... anywhere. Further, the Mrs. no longer takes hormone supplements. And Mr. scans the morning want ads for steady P/T work.
By George & Sherri
I had been using another brand of maca powder and decided to try The Maca Team's. The difference in freshness is night and day, and better tasting . I'm 6 foot 250 lbs. and take 4 teaspoons every day w/ my protein shake. Great energy boost and just feel great all day. I can tell a difference when I do not take it. best price that I have found {36oz}. I will be buying more as needed.
By J.D.
I've tried various maca brands over the last 20 years and The Maca Team brand is very special. There is definitely a difference when it comes to the quality and colors of the maca. This red maca does seem to nourish certain parts of my body while the black maca nourishes something else. I know I've been missing the nutrition these maca provide. I'm 75 years old and bodies wear out, but I'm finding I'm regaining a functioning body. How wonderful is this?!?!!!
By Janis Ihrig
I just wanted to thank you for your excellently constructed website. I am a physician and I recently started learning about Maca. I get a very good sense of it, and I expect I will try it out myself and possibly be recommending it to patients in the future. If so, your website will be the first place to send people. Thanks again.
By Adam Holt
Love the Maca team, In an earlier comment I said I was on the fence about where to buy Maca .Not anymore .You shouldn’t be either. The team has answered any questions I’ve had promptly. I feel like I’m dealing with friends, not some company far away out for my money only. The Maca is fresh, prices are good, the people are nice. If you’re on the fence, don’t be, you won’t be sorry.
By Bob
My Maca came in today and it has all the information on it! I must say this is the best tasting Maca I have tried!! Thank you again for a great product!! I will only order from you in future as well!
By Stormi Evans
First I would like to say I love this product. I was very skeptical about a natural product with so many benefits but this stuff really works. Second, I love this company. From the web site to the way they run their company this a top-notch team. I will be ordering from The Maca Team from now on. Great job guys keep doing what you are doing.
By Darren Rivers Sr.
We love this product. I own a store and work with clients holistically. We have recommended maca for years however, this is the highest quality product we have ever carried. I am proud to offer it in my store.
By Mellissa Gage, Infinity and Beyond
I am really happy that I chose the Maca Team, today you can find many distributors selling Maca powder, however quality of the powder is impossible to compare. Moreover, the results after 2 weeks I could feel. Before I was taking maca powder and I did not feel any changes. But since I started taking Maca from Maca Team the changes are incredible. So, I did a test.:) I gave the powder to my partner ... and after 2 weeks he was impressed and told me that he has more energy, feeling happy... Thank you The Maca Team!!!!
By Olga
I do want to say that I have done quite a bit of research on different companies that offer Maca and The Maca Team definitely is the most reputable. Thank you again for your kindness and professionalism :)
By T.C.
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