Maca is a nutritionally dense root vegetable that has been used in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia for 1000s of years. People native to those areas use maca roots both as a food source and as a natural medicine. Over the past 30 years, this humble root vegetable has gained in popularity throughout the world. It is renowned as a superfood that supports overall health and wellbeing. If you are new to maca, you might be wondering, “what are the best ways to eat it?” Do you just eat the whole maca roots? Do you use maca in a salad? Do you drink maca like coffee or tea?These are all excellent questions and we’ll give you the answers here.
In general terms, maca roots are considered to be of one species (lepidium meyenni). Note that this is the most scientifically accepted term to refer to maca root, though there is some push to replace that term with the newer lepidium Peruviniam Chacon designation Either way, when we are talking about maca roots grown in and around Junin, Peru, the traditional maca region, the roots are from this one species. Beyond that, maca grows in a wide range of colors as you can see from the below. The colors are grouped into three main categories of red roots, yellow roots and black roots. These roots are separated by color at harvest to then be prepared for sale. At The Maca Team, we also offer more traditional “heritage harvest” tricolor maca products which include maca roots of each major color family. We also offer all maca colors in 4 major presentations.
Each of these presentations have different ways of consuming them. Maca capsules and extracts are simply taken orally with water or another liquid. That makes them the fastest and easiest to take. Maca powders and maca chips, however, can be consumed in a variety of ways. We’ll explore those below.
There are many ways to get the power of maca root into your diet when you are using it in powder form. Maca powder has a sweetish, caramel/nutty flavor that complements many dishes. Red maca, by the way, is the sweetest tasting. We’ll list the ways to use maca powder here from easiest to hardest.
Maca root chips are a little more challenging to prepare. They are very hard and crunchy and require soaking or blending before consumption. After soaking you can certainly blend them into any sort of soup or smoothie. You can also steep them and consume them as a tea. But the most popular way to use them is to make them into a porridge. The traditional recipe is called “Mazamora” and is delicious and incredibly filling.
An important aspect of adding maca to your diet is knowing how to use it to get the most benefit possible. Since maca root is a food and not a supplement or medicine, it’s really pretty easy to incorporate into your daily life. The key factors to remember are:
Over decades of sourcing and selling high quality Peruvian maca products, we’ve seen the power of this simple superfood firsthand. We’ve received 1000s of reviews speaking to maca’s versatility as a natural food to promote all types of wellness. It is also versatile as an ingredient in prepared dishes such as smoothies, baked goods and more. Of course, if you are looking for convenience, we also have maca in capsule and liquid extract form, both of which make it very easy to put into your life.
We hope that you found this article helpful and inspirational. Let us know if we can support in any other way. We look forward to receiving your review of this nutritious and delicious superfood in the future.
Finally, check out our Maca Finder to see which maca we recommend for you.
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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