Maca root is a unique vegetable native to the high Andes mountains of South America. It has been cultivated and used as an essential food source for thousands of years. Owing to its rich nutritional profile combined with its ability to support overall health and wellness, maca root is considered to be one of the most important superfoods available anywhere.Maca root comes in 3 basic color ranges, black, red and yellow and in this article we’ll have a look at the question if black maca is better than yellow or red. To start answering this question let’s first look at how maca root grows.
Maca root only grows well and develops fully at high elevations above about 12,000 feet (3500 m) in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Attempts have been made to grow maca in Germany, the U.S. and China, but the results have been poor and largely abandoned. The best soil and climactic conditions in which to grow maca root are in and around Junin, Peru. The hills in this high mountain area are conducive to growing quality roots that are nutritionally rich and dense. The first step in growing maca is planting seeds. This happens usually in September to October. Over the course of the next few months a small top develops above the soil and then starting on month 4 after planting the actual roots start to form. It takes 9 full months for the roots to be ready for harvest.At harvest time maca roots are pulled from the ground and prepared for drying. Traditionally, the roots were all lumped together for drying. But over the past 30 years farmers have begun to separate the roots by color groups – black, red and yellow. Black roots range from light to very dark gray. Red roots are light pink to deep purple and yellow roots are light beige to golden in color. Interestingly all these colors come from the same seed stock. It’s also interesting to note that the color of all maca roots is largely found in the skin. On the inside maca roots are all a similar beige or off-white color.
Black and yellow maca are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to quantity produced. In any given harvest, black maca roots account for about 15%, red maca for about 25% and yellow maca for about 60% of the total harvest. Because it is more readily available yellow maca has been the most scientifically researched of all three maca colors. This is especially true of early research on the root. This research found that yellow maca is rich in nutrients that can help support hormone balance and overall health. Benefits associated with it include improved energy levels, reduction in stress, fertility and enhanced drive. Black maca has been researched separately over the past 15 years or so and it has been seen to have a somewhat stronger effect on energy levels, endurance, muscle building and male libido. Also, it has been shown to improve sperm motility and volume better than red or yellow maca. For this reason, black maca is sometimes referred to as “male or men’s maca.” But you should know that women can and do take black maca regularly.
When you’re deciding between black and yellow maca, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both types have their own unique benefits and both can be effective. Yellow maca is more widely available and is less expensive. As we’ve seen, it has been more extensively studied and has associated with a range of health benefits.
Black maca is less common and has shown in research to be somewhat more potent for energy levels, endurance, muscle building and libido. However, there have been fewer studies on black maca, so its benefits are not as well-documented and established as yellow maca.
In the end, the choice between black and yellow maca depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a food to boost energy levels and enhance overall wellbeing at an economical price, yellow is a good choice. If you are looking for a more potent supplement that may be particularly beneficial for men's health and/or for muscle building, stamina and energy black maca may be the way to go. We also have a more traditional style maca that contains all three colors. See our Tri-color maca products.
Maca root color is just one of the factors that makes a difference in the effect maca has. There are some other considerations beyond color to keep in mind when choosing the maca product you take.
If all of this has left you wondering how to make the best choice for yourself when it comes to maca, we’re here to help. Over the years we’ve developed an extensive amount of information as well as a product selection tool that will help you decide which maca to start out with. You can find out which maca we recommend for you by clicking the link. Note that the page has both a written description as well as a dynamic tool to help you. Also, we’re always happy to help and if you call or email us you’ll receive answers to your questions and suggestions from a knowledgeable maca expert on our customer service team.We hope this article sheds some light on the differences between black maca and yellow maca. Thanks for reading and enjoy the day!
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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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