If you’ve been to a health food store, talked with a naturopathic doctor or had a conversation about hormones with a friend recently, you’re pretty likely to have heard something about maca root. This simple root vegetable is no doubt one of the more popular superfoods available today. Its popularity derives in large part from the many benefits that are associated with adding it to your diet. Since it works to support healthy hormone balance maca root’s benefits are indeed wide ranging. As it’s gained in popularity we’ve received more questions about where maca comes from, how it grows and why you can’t simply just grow it yourself. In this article, we’ll do our best to answer all of those.
Maca is a root vegetable native to the high Andes of Peru. The earliest archaeological evidence we have suggests that maca, originally a wild vegetable, was first cultivated between two and five thousand years ago. In the 1990s, researchers discovered maca roots stored is a specialized container in a cave dwelling that dated back about 10,000 years. This cave is located on the Junin plateau of central Peru at about 12,000 feet (3600 m) above sea level. It is based on this discovery that the Junin area is considered to be the point of origin of maca root.
Today the highest quality and most potent maca is still grown in the Junin plateau, specifically in areas surrounding Lake Junin (Chinchaycocha) which the largest lake complete within Peru. Maca roots have been grown in other areas of Peru, notably in the province of Cajamarca. They are also grown in the high Andes of Bolivia, though in much smaller quantities. It is estimated that over 90% of maca roots grown worldwide come from Peru.
Maca roots require special circumstances to grow well. First, edible roots are only produced when maca is grown at high elevations. Maca plants have been grown near sea level in various parts of the world including Lima, Peru, California, USA and Berlin, Germany. In all cases it was discovered that while the top of the plant grew fairly well, it simply did not produce a significantly sized root. Further research and experimentation has revealed that maca roots grow best at elevations above 9000 ft. (3500 m) and reaching all the way to 15,000 ft. (4500 m). Second, it seems that maca roots only grow well in the specific soil conditions found in the high Andes. Researchers have tried to grow maca roots in the Rockies mountain range both in Canada and Colorado but have failed to produce a root with the same nutritional properties as those grown in the Andes. Similarly, in 2013-15 speculative farmers grew maca roots in the mountains of Yunaan province in China. The results were so abysmal that even Chinese consumers refused to purchase them. You can read more about those results in our Peruvian vs. Chinese Maca article. A third reason that maca root grows best in the Junin area of Peru is the micro-climate around Lake Junin. In this area the sunlight is intense, there are extreme temperature swings between the night and day, a very specific amount of rainfall and humidity, regular high winds and a very particular rocky soil. Maca root thrives in these inhospitable conditions that would kill many other plants.
Here is an image of what the area around Lake Junin looks like:
Maca root occupies a special place in the culture of people indigenous to the high Andes. One origin story relates that it was first discovered when farmers noticed that the livestock that foraged on maca were more fertile and produced stronger offspring than those that didn’t consume any maca. Shortly thereafter humans began consuming the roots themselves and noticed similar results. As word spread, more and more people began cultivating maca roots. By the time the Incans arrived in the mountains of central Peru, maca root was a staple of the local populations, making up a significant portion of their diets. When Incans conquered these local people, they took them as slaves and noticed that they worked significantly harder and longer than other conquered groups. Quickly, the Incans attributed this extra energy to the consumption of maca roots. They then began feeding maca to all of the people they enslaved and eventually required all provinces in the Peruvian Andes to pay tribute and tax to the central Incan government in the form of maca roots. When the Spanish arrived in the early 1500s, maca had an important place in the Incan empire. As the Spanish began mixing with locals and eating maca themselves, the simple root drew the interest of the authorities, both secular and religious. Chroniclers and priests recorded how the root was used by local populations. And generals occasionally banned their solders from eating the root in order to avoid pillaging of the locals. Although it did not flourish beyond the high Andes, maca indeed survived the colonial Spanish period. Then, in the mid 1900s maca roots started to make their way to other parts of Peru as more and more people traveled from the mountains to other parts of the country. By the 1960s it was beginning to be introduced to an international audience on a larger scale.Since that time, knowledge of maca root has grown tremendously. Today, maca products are readily available in many health food stores and online retailers, and it can be purchased in various forms, including powders, capsules, and liquids. We at The Maca Team are proud to provide the best selection of high-quality, organic Peruvian grown maca root anywhere. Buying organic maca powder extracts, capsules, root chips or blends from us will ensure that you are getting the best health benefits from maca while at the same time avoiding any potential contaminants.
In conclusion, we are grateful to source and sell this amazing root vegetable. Maca is certainly a versatile and nutritious root food source. Native to the high Andes of Peru, it has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people for its numerous health benefits and has a unique flavor. Thanks in large part to dedicated farmers, maca has gained worldwide popularity in recent years as a health food supplement. Whether you are looking to improve your energy levels, boost your athletic performance, or support your overall health and wellbeing, Peruvian grown maca root is a great food to add to your diet.
We hope you enjoyed this article. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding any of our products. We're always happy to help.
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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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