The popularity of maca root products outside of Peru has grown significantly over the past 2 decades. With that popularity more and more people are exposed to the term “gelatinized” maca. For most, it’s an unfamiliar term that evokes the term “gelatin.” For vegans and vegetarians, it begs the question if gelatinized maca is suitable for a plant-based diet. In this article we’ll take a deeper look at gelatinized maca and answer the question, “is gelatinized maca vegan” in a definitive way.
Gelatinized maca powder is a popular form of maca root powder made from whole maca roots. It is different from “raw” maca in a couple of important ways. First, raw maca products are made from maca roots that have never been heated during processing. Gelatinized maca products on the other hand are made from maca roots that are exposed to temperatures of about 160-180 F / 71-82 C. Second, raw maca products are a 1:1 product, meaning that it takes about 1 kg of maca roots to produce 1 kg of maca powder. Gelatinized maca on the other hand is about a 4:1 product, meaning it takes about 4 kg of maca roots to produce the same amount of powder. This is because the heating process during gelatinization helps dissolve and remove the starch content in maca roots.
The process of making gelatinized maca does not involve gelatin in any way. There is no gelatin in gelatinized maca.
This is an excellent question. The process gets its name from the gel-like substance that is left behind when starches are dissolved in the presence of heat and water. Sometimes this process is used in baking to produce thick gelatin-like substances. Examples include using corn starch to thicken a gravy and using rice gelatin to thicken a dessert sauce.
While gelatinized maca powder contains no animal products and is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians, there are a few further considerations to bear in mind.
Gelatinized maca comes in a variety of forms. We offer it in maca powder, maca capsule and whole maca root chip forms. Beyond that, we offer each of the major colors of maca root, red, black and yellow along with a tri-color blend in gelatinized form. Finally, you can choose between premium and standard gelatinized maca products. The premium products undergo special fast processing that leaves more of certain nutrients including glucosinolates in the final product.
There are several advantages to using gelatinized over raw maca. First, a gelatinized product is easier to digest since the starch content has been removed. Second, some nutrients, including macaenes and macamides (unique to maca) are slightly more concentrated than in raw maca. Third, the taste of gelatinized maca powder is typically more mild. The major disadvantage to using gelatinized maca over raw maca is that the heat used in processing it destroys all Vitamin C content as well as maca’s natural enzymes. Read our complete article on raw vs. gelatinized maca.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian in search of high-quality plant nutrition, gelatinized maca is entirely suitable for you. Just make sure that if you take maca in capsule form, the capsules themselves are made with vegetable cellulose instead of animal derived gelatin. Also, if you choose a company other than The Maca Team, make sure to ask if their products contain any additives and/or are processed in a facility that also handles animal products. 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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