Whole Maca Root Chips: The Closest Thing to Whole Maca Roots

If you are looking for whole maca root, whole maca roots, or a traditional way to enjoy maca in a less processed format, maca chips are the closest option that can legally be exported from Peru. Maca chips are simply maca roots that have been washed, dried, cut into small pieces, and prepared for convenient use at home.

For people who want something closer to the original root than powder or capsules, whole maca root chips offer a practical and traditional format. They can be simmered into porridge, steeped into drinks, blended into recipes, or used in other creative kitchen preparations.

Our Maca Root Chips

Our maca root chips are the closest thing to whole maca roots that can legally be exported from Peru. Peru has long treated maca as an important part of its agricultural and cultural heritage, and export rules have helped preserve the identity of authentic Peruvian maca.

The good news is that Peru does allow the export of maca chips. These are simply whole maca roots cut into small chunks after washing and drying. Our maca chips are also pre-cooked (gelatinized), making them convenient to prepare and easy to use in a wide range of recipes. We offer whole maca root chips in Black, Red, Yellow, and 3-Color blends.

Why Choose Whole Maca Root Chips?

Maca powder is easy to blend into smoothies, and maca capsules are convenient for travel, but maca chips offer advantages of their own.

• They are a traditional, food-style format that stays close to the original root.
• They can be used in recipes that are not possible with powder alone.
• They work especially well in porridges, teas, infused drinks, and fermented recipes.
• They store very well and are easy to keep on hand for long periods.
• They offer a different texture and preparation style for people who enjoy maca as a traditional food.

When we were in Peru working with our farming partners, we were reminded that maca has long been prepared as a hearty food in the Andes. One of the classic ways to enjoy it is as a boiled porridge, and whole maca root chips make it easy to prepare maca in that same traditional spirit.

Whole Maca Root vs. Maca Powder

People often ask about the difference between whole maca root chips and maca powder. The answer mostly comes down to format and use.

• Whole maca root chips are better for simmered recipes, teas, porridges, and traditional preparations.
• Maca powder is better for smoothies, quick mixing, and recipes where a fine texture is preferred.
• Maca capsules are best for convenience when you do not want to prepare food or drinks.

If you want something closer to whole maca roots, maca chips are the best fit.

How To Use Maca Chips

Traditionally, dried maca roots are simmered with water or milk and often combined with other ingredients to make a porridge called Mazamorra de Maca. That is one of the classic uses for whole maca root chips, but it is far from the only one.

Here are several easy ways to use maca chips:

1. Simmer ½ cup of maca chips for about an hour and add them to oatmeal or another warm breakfast cereal.
2. Simmer ½ cup of maca chips until soft and blend them into a smoothie.
3. Steep maca chips in hot water for about 10 minutes to make a simple maca tea.
4. Mix softened maca chips into yogurt or cooked grain bowls.
5. Use them in traditional recipes such as Mazamorra de Maca or Chicha de Maca.
6. Experiment with savory uses such as pickled maca or fermented vegetable recipes.

Mazamorra de Maca Recipe

Mazamorra de Maca is one of the most traditional ways to prepare whole maca root chips. In the high Andes where maca grows, this porridge-style dish has long been enjoyed as a classic food preparation.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (130g) maca chips
• 1 cup (130g) flour
• ¼ cup (32g) sugar
• 2 cups (250ml) milk
• Clove, cinnamon and/or anise to taste
• 4 cups (500 ml) water

Preparation: Simmer the maca chips in water along with spices until soft, about 1 hour, adding water if necessary. Add flour, sugar, and milk, then simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy. Mazamorra may be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

Maca Chicha Recipe - Fermented Maca Drink

Another traditional way to use whole maca root chips is in Chicha de Maca, a maca drink that can be prepared in either fermented or non-fermented form.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup purple corn flour
• 1 cup maca chips (or 1/2 cup maca flour)
• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 10 cloves
• 1.5 gallons of water

Preparation: In a large pot, boil the corn flour, maca, quinoa, cinnamon, and cloves for about 2 hours. Allow the mixture to cool, strain it, and place it in a large container. Add sugar. Allow it to ferment for 2-6 days if desired, then enjoy cold.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole Maca Root Chips

Are maca chips the same as whole maca root?

Maca chips are the closest commonly available option to whole maca root. They are made from whole maca roots that have been washed, dried, cut into smaller pieces, and prepared for practical home use.

What are whole maca root chips?

Whole maca root chips are pieces of dried maca root. They are a traditional food-style format of maca that can be simmered, steeped, blended, or used in recipes.

How do you prepare maca root chips?

Most people simmer maca root chips in water until softened, then use them in porridge, smoothies, tea, or traditional recipes such as Mazamorra de Maca.

What is the difference between maca chips and maca powder?

Maca chips are better suited to simmered and traditional recipes, while maca powder is better for quick mixing into smoothies or drinks.

Can you make tea from maca chips?

Yes. Maca chips can be steeped in hot water to make a simple maca tea, or simmered longer for a richer preparation.

Do maca chips need to be cooked?

They are most commonly simmered or steeped before eating, depending on the recipe. Our gelatinized maca chips are pre-cooked and designed for convenient preparation.

Where can you buy whole maca root chips?

Whole maca root chips can be purchased from specialty maca retailers that offer authentic Peruvian maca in traditional formats such as Black, Red, Yellow, and 3-Color blends.

Are whole maca roots legal to export from Peru?

Export rules are stricter for whole maca roots, which is why maca chips are the closest commonly available format for people seeking something similar to whole maca root.

Ready To Try Whole Maca Root Chips?

As a small family-run company focused specifically on authentic Peruvian maca, we work hard to offer one of the best selections of whole maca root chips available anywhere. Choose from Black, Red, Yellow, and 3-Color blends at the top of this page.

And let us know if we can help with anything.

Enjoy the day!

Compare all our Maca products here.