Compare Black Maca and Yellow Maca, including how common each color is, how they differ in research and traditional use, and which type may better fit your goals and preferences.
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 three basic color ranges: black, red, and yellow.
In this article we’ll have a look at the question of whether Black Maca is better than Yellow or Red Maca. To start answering that question, let’s first look at how maca root grows.
Neither Black Maca nor Yellow Maca is universally better. The better choice depends on what you want from maca and your individual preferences.
Yellow Maca is more widely available, generally less expensive, and has been studied more extensively.
Black Maca is less common and has been associated in research with stronger effects on energy, endurance, muscle building, male libido, and sperm motility and volume.
Both are traditional Peruvian maca foods, and both can be effective.
Maca root only grows well and develops fully at high elevations above about 12,000 feet (3,500 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 climatic conditions in which to grow maca root are in and around Junín, 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 usually happens in September to October.
Over the course of the next few months, a small top develops above the soil. Starting around month four after planting, the actual roots begin to form.
It takes approximately nine 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.
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 opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the 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 has been seen to have a somewhat stronger effect on energy levels, endurance, muscle building, and male libido.
It has also 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 women can and do take Black Maca regularly.
| Comparison | Yellow Maca | Black Maca |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate share of harvest | About 60% | About 15% |
| Availability | Most widely available | Less common |
| Price | Generally more economical | Generally more expensive |
| Research history | Most extensively researched maca color | Studied separately more in recent years |
| Commonly associated with | Energy, stress support, fertility, drive, and general wellness | Energy, endurance, muscle building, male libido, and sperm motility and volume |
| Who can use it? | Men and women | Men and women |
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 also been more extensively studied and has been associated with a range of health benefits.
Black Maca is less common and has been 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 those of 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 Maca is a good choice.
If you are looking for a more potent maca 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 offer a more traditional-style maca that contains all three colors. See our Tri-Color Maca products.
Choose Yellow Maca if you want a versatile, widely studied, economical everyday maca.
Choose Black Maca if you are particularly interested in energy, stamina, athletic use, male libido, or male fertility.
If you prefer a traditional blend rather than choosing a single color, Tri-Color Maca contains Black, Red, and Yellow Maca together.
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 visiting our complete guide. The page has both a written description and a dynamic tool to help you.
We’re also always happy to help. 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.
Black and Yellow Maca are both traditional Peruvian maca foods, and neither is automatically better for everyone.
Yellow Maca is more abundant, economical, and extensively researched.
Black Maca is less common and has been associated particularly with energy, endurance, athletic use, male libido, and male fertility.
Beyond color, factors such as growing region, drying method, storage, raw versus gelatinized preparation, and the form in which you take maca are also important.
We hope this article sheds some light on the differences between Black Maca and Yellow Maca.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the day!
Black Maca has been associated in research with somewhat stronger effects for energy, endurance, muscle building, male libido, and sperm motility and volume. Yellow Maca has been studied more extensively overall.
Black Maca is much less common. It typically represents about 15% of a maca harvest compared with approximately 60% for Yellow Maca, making it less readily available.
Yes. Although Black Maca is sometimes called “men’s maca” because of research related to male libido and fertility, women can and do take Black Maca regularly.
Yellow Maca is the most common. In a typical harvest, Yellow roots make up approximately 60%, Red about 25%, and Black about 15%.
No. Black, Red, and Yellow Maca roots can all develop from the same seed stock. The main visible color difference is found in the skin of the roots.
If you want the qualities associated with a particular color, a single-color maca may make sense. If you prefer a more traditional blend containing Black, Red, and Yellow roots together, Tri-Color Maca is another option.
Compare the different maca colors, forms, and preparations and use our selection tool to find a good starting point.
