Maca Root Powder

(Lepidium meyenii)
From the High Andes of Peru

Maca is one of the most remarkable food plants on Earth — a small, turnip-like root vegetable of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that holds the distinction of being the highest-altitude food crop in the world, cultivated at elevations of 13,000–15,000 feet (4,000–4,500 meters) in the Junión plateau of the Peruvian Andes, where few other food plants can survive. Lepidium meyenii — known in Quechua as maka — has been cultivated by the indigenous peoples of the Andes for over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously cultivated crops in South America. The Inca prized maca as a sacred food of extraordinary nutritional power, and Incan warriors are said to have consumed it before battle to sustain strength and endurance — after which the Spanish conquistadors reportedly restricted its use to preserve supplies for their own troops.

Maca thrives in the harsh, frost-prone, high-altitude environment of the Peruvian altiplano — a landscape of thin air, intense UV radiation, dramatic temperature swings, and rocky, mineral-rich volcanic soil — conditions that would kill most crops but that maca has adapted to over millennia. The root comes in several color varieties — yellow (the most common), red, and black — each with a slightly different nutritional profile and flavor. The dried and powdered root has a distinctive earthy, nutty, slightly butterscotch-like flavor that blends well into smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, and beverages. Our Maca Root Powder is imported directly from Peru.

Maca root is one of the most nutritionally dense root vegetables known, containing protein (approximately 10–14% by dry weight — unusually high for a root vegetable), essential amino acids (including all eight essential amino acids), complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fatty acids (linolenic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid), glucosinolates (benzylglucosinolate, p-methoxybenzylglucosinolate — the same class of compounds found in broccoli and other brassicas), macamides (unique fatty acid amides found only in maca), macaenes (polyunsaturated fatty acids unique to maca), alkaloids (lepidiline A and B), sterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, ergosterol), minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine), and vitamins (B1, B2, B3, C).

Product Highlights

• Powder of Lepidium meyenii — Maca / Maka (Quechua)
• The highest-altitude food crop on Earth — cultivated at 13,000–15,000 ft in the Peruvian Andes
• Over 2,000 years of continuous cultivation — a sacred Incan food
• Imported directly from Peru — the only place maca is traditionally grown
• Rich in protein, essential amino acids, macamides, macaenes, glucosinolates, and minerals
• Distinctive earthy, nutty, butterscotch-like flavor — versatile in sweet and savory applications
• Available in 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz sizes

How to Use

Smoothies: Add 1–2 teaspoons to smoothies with banana, cacao, almond butter, or berries — the earthy, malty flavor pairs beautifully with chocolate and nut flavors. Oatmeal & Porridge: Stir into hot oatmeal or overnight oats with honey and cinnamon. Baking: Incorporate into energy bars, muffins, cookies, and bread — pairs well with oats, nuts, and dried fruit. Coffee & Lattes: Add to coffee, matcha, or golden milk for a nutritious, malty depth. Smoothie Bowls: Blend into açaí or pitaya bowls as a nutritional boost. Savory Dishes: Stir into soups, stews, and grain bowls — maca’s earthy flavor works surprisingly well in savory applications. Suggested Serving: Start with ½ teaspoon and gradually increase to 1–2 teaspoons daily as desired.

Available in 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz sizes. Imported from Peru.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a thyroid condition (maca contains glucosinolates which may affect thyroid function). Keep out of reach of children.