With Maca root powder emerging as a powerful adaptogen with many potential health benefits - consumers are turning to this superfood to nourish their bodies and support their overall health and vitality. There is no shortage of strategies, recipes and information on how to use raw maca powder in your daily life. Read on to find out more!
Maca is a plant native to Peru. It has been grown in the Andes mountains for thousands of years and has been used by the indigenous people for various health benefits. Maca’s scientific name is Lepidium meyenii, and it is a part of the cruciferous family along with broccoli, cabbage, and kale. The maca plant has leaves, but it is more famous for its root. After discovering the benefits of maca, indigenous Peruvians started using the root as a powerful food source. Usually it was eaten whole after being boiled, but it was also sometimes ground up into maca root powder. It is this maca "flour" that is readily available to consumers today.
There is mounting scientific evidence outlining maca’s beneficial properties. Maca is very nutritious and is packed with vitamins and minerals. It contains a low amount of fat while significant amounts of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, and iron.
One of the main reasons people started using the maca plant was its ability to improve libido and increase sexual desire. There is some scientific evidence that suggests taking maca root powder for 12 weeks can improve and increase sexual desire in both men and women. A study performed in 2002 found that men who took 1.5 to 3 grams of maca powder reported experiencing stronger libido than the group who took a placebo. Additionally, maca has been shown to improve fertility in men.[1]
If you are looking for an energy boost, look no further. Maca root powder is known to boost energy and endurance. A study conducted in 2009 found that a small group of cyclists’ performance improved while using maca powder. Many athletes and bodybuilders turn to this wonder plant to support their performance and energy levels.[2]
When it comes to women, maca has a plethora of advantageous properties. Not only can it positively influence sexual desire, but there is some evidence that maca helps balance hormones. This is especially important for symptoms accompanying menopause. Many women report that maca helps with things like mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, bone density loss, and poor quality of sleep.
Additionally, maca root powder can help maintain healthy blood pressure for both men and women.
There is no denying it; maca root indeed can offer some fantastic health benefits. And the good news is that it’s super easy to prepare maca root powder recipes. For those who like the earthy and nutty taste of Maca, there are plenty of smoothies, hot drinks, and puddings to explore. And for those who prefer to have a milder experience for their taste buds, there are delicious baked goods. Whichever route you choose, it’s important to remember not to heat raw maca over 115 degrees farenheit (about 42 C) in order to preserve its nutrients.
There are two types of maca - raw and gelatinized. Raw maca is made by drying and then grinding the root. In this method, the maca is never heated above 115 Fahrenheit, so the final product preserves all its original nutrients. The heated or gelatinized maca is created by sun-drying and then boiling the maca root. The maca root is then pressurized in order to remove all the starch within the root. While this process makes the final maca product gentler on the stomach, some of the beneficial enzymes and nutrients have been reduced. For this reason, many people chose to use raw maca powder for incorporating it into recipes they make at home.
When first introducing maca into your diet, it is best to start with a smaller serving and slowly build-up to the daily recommended serving, which is 9g of raw maca powder a day. One of the easiest ways of introducing maca to your system is by mixing it with water and drinking it on an empty stomach. Doing this is believed to provide the most complete and rapid absorption. But if you are looking for something a bit more fun, read on for some recipe inspirations.
A super-easy way of adding maca to your diet is by adding a spoonful to your smoothies and shakes. Chocolate and fruit flavors are the best choices to enhance maca’s natural taste. Combining raw maca powder with chocolate protein powders, or nutrient-packed blueberries both tastes good and provides a double punch of healthy goodness.
If you are a fan of juicing, you can create your favorite combination and then blend in the maca root powder. Try carrot, apple, ginger, lemon, and maca to make a bright and nutritious drink that will both boost your immune system and energize you.
If you are trying to cut down on caffeine, a maca latte first thing in the morning is just the thing for boosting your energy. Combine a couple of dates and non-dairy milk to a saucepan, heat until warm, then throw into a blender with maca powder, vanilla extract, and a dash of nutmeg. You might also like to try one of our maca coffee substitutes to get an energy boost without a caffeine crash.
When it comes to breakfast, you can add raw maca powder to just about anything for a nutritions and yummy start to your day. You can simply sprinkle maca powder over your hot or cold cereal. Or combine maca, rolled oats, and non-dairy milk in a mason jar overnight for delicious overnight oats.
You can also add small amounts of raw maca powder to your pancake batter, chia pudding, or waffle mix. The possibilities are endless.
Raw maca powder pairs well with any sweet creation, so both baked and raw desserts are suitable carriers. Try no-bake energy balls made of dates, walnuts, Himalayan sea salt, vanilla extract, and maca powder. Grind all ingredients in a food processor and form delicious energy nuggets.
When looking for a scoopable dessert, try combining cashews, coconut cream, raw maca powder, vanilla extract, and dark chocolate in a blender. The result - a heavenly spreadable dessert!
With many possibilities of adding raw maca root powder to your diet, you can enjoy all the benefits it has to offer and treat your tastebuds at the same time!
A final note, just make sure that you are getting enough maca to make a difference when using it in recipes. You can see our maca serving guide here.
Also, if you'd like to see which maca we recommend for you, click over to our "which maca is best" page.
Thanks and 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.
Read All Reviews