Learn whether gelatinized maca is vegan, why the word “gelatinized” has nothing to do with gelatin, how gelatinized maca is made, and what vegans should check when choosing maca products.
The popularity of maca root products outside of Peru has grown significantly over the past two decades. With that popularity, more and more people are exposed to the term “gelatinized” maca.
For most people, it’s an unfamiliar term that immediately brings to mind the word “gelatin.” For vegans and vegetarians, that naturally raises the question of whether 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.
For more answers to common questions about maca, visit our Maca FAQs. For a complete comparison of the two preparations, see Raw vs. Gelatinized Maca.
Yes. Pure gelatinized maca is vegan. The gelatinization process does not use gelatin or any other animal-derived ingredient.
The term “gelatinized” refers to what happens to the starch in maca when it is processed with heat and water. It does not mean that gelatin is added to the maca.
If you are buying gelatinized maca capsules rather than powder, however, you should also check that the capsule itself is made from a plant-based material rather than animal-derived gelatin.
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 not been heated during processing. Gelatinized maca products, on the other hand, are made from maca roots that are exposed to temperatures of approximately 160–180°F / 71–82°C.
Second, gelatinization removes much of maca’s natural starch. Because some of the original root material is removed during processing, gelatinized maca is more concentrated by weight than raw maca powder.
This starch reduction is also the main reason many people find gelatinized maca easier to digest.
No. The process of making gelatinized maca does not involve gelatin in any way.
There is no gelatin added to pure gelatinized maca powder.
This is an excellent question.
The process gets its name from what happens when starch is exposed to heat and water. The starch granules absorb moisture, swell, and change structure in a process known as gelatinization.
The word refers to the behavior of the starch, not to the animal-derived ingredient gelatin.
A familiar example is using cornstarch to thicken gravy or a sauce. The starch gelatinizes as it is heated with liquid, even though no gelatin is involved.
While pure gelatinized maca powder contains no animal products and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, there are a few further considerations to bear in mind.
| Characteristic | Raw Maca | Gelatinized Maca |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Not heated during powder processing | Processed using heat and water |
| Starch | Retains its natural starch | Much of the starch is removed |
| Digestion | Works well for many people | Often preferred by people with sensitive digestion |
| Concentration | Closer to the composition of the whole dried root | More concentrated by weight because starch is removed |
| Flavor | Typically fuller and earthier | Often somewhat milder |
| Vegan? | Yes, when made from pure maca | Yes, when made from pure maca |
Gelatinized maca comes in a variety of forms.
We offer it as maca powder, maca capsules, and maca root chips.
Beyond that, we offer each of the major colors of maca root — red, black, and yellow — along with tri-color blends in gelatinized form.
You can also choose between premium and standard gelatinized maca products.
Our premium products undergo faster processing shortly after harvest, which helps preserve more of certain naturally occurring compounds, including glucosinolates.
There are several potential advantages to using gelatinized maca instead of raw maca.
The major tradeoff is that gelatinized maca is heated during processing. Heat-sensitive nutrients and naturally occurring enzymes can therefore be reduced compared with raw maca.
Neither form is automatically “better” for everyone. The right choice depends largely on your digestion, taste preferences, and how you plan to use maca.
Read our complete comparison of Raw vs. Gelatinized Maca.
The word “gelatinized” does not mean a maca product contains gelatin.
Pure gelatinized maca powder is entirely plant-based. If you choose capsules, check that the capsule shell is vegetable-based, and always review the ingredient list for unnecessary additives or fillers.
All of The Maca Team’s maca powders are 100% maca, and our capsules use vegan-friendly vegetable cellulose.
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.
If you choose a company other than The Maca Team, it is also worth checking whether its products contain additional ingredients and how the products are processed.
Enjoy the day!
No. Gelatinized maca does not contain gelatin. The term refers to a heat-and-water process that changes the structure of maca’s natural starch.
The name comes from starch gelatinization. When starch is exposed to heat and water, its structure changes and it can form a gel-like consistency. No animal gelatin is required.
They can be, but you need to check the capsule shell. Some manufacturers use animal-derived gelatin capsules. The Maca Team uses vegetable-cellulose capsules.
For many people, yes. Gelatinization removes much of maca’s natural starch, so it is often preferred by people who find raw maca difficult to digest.
Yes. Gelatinized maca is exposed to heat and water during processing, unlike raw maca powder, which is not heated during powder processing.
Yes. Pure raw maca and pure gelatinized maca are both plant-based. For capsules and blended products, check the capsule material and ingredient list as well.
Compare gelatinized maca options or browse our complete selection of Peruvian maca products.
