Maca Root: Three Colors, Many Uses

Maca root is a cruciferous vegetable of the family Brassiceae indigenous to the Andes, where it grows and thrives at extreme altitudes under some of the most intense conditions on the planet. Related to plants like mustard and cauliflower, it has a long and storied history of human usage. But what is it that makes maca so special? Why has its popularity continued into modern day, and why should you consider adding it to your diet today? There are many answers to these questions, and today we’re going to lay them out as succinctly as possible.

Maca Root Comes in Three Colors

Yellow Maca Root

There are Three Colors of Maca Root: Red, Black, and Yellow. We’ll start with yellow maca roots, which make up about 60% of today’s annual maca harvest. Though maca root would’ve traditionally been consumed as a tri-color mix, or “heritage blend,” modern science has come to recognize the unique benefits of individual colors of maca roots. That includes yellow maca root, which has been linked with benefits like overall vitality, skin health, and stress reduction. The best way to get the most “bang for your buck” when purchasing maca is with our raw organic maca powders, which can be bought in 8oz, 1lb, or 1kg foil-lined bags. Add your maca powder into any of our many Maca Recipes, ranging from simple maca smoothies to traditional recipes like the Peruvian beverage Chicha de Maca. Whatever you choose, it’s easy to incorporate maca into your daily routine.

Red Maca Root

Red maca root is the second most common color of maca root, accounting for about 25% of yearly harvests. It’s most commonly associated with more “feminine” attributes like fertility and menopause relief. Maca powder has a distinct flavor that isn’t for everyone, and a small number of our buyers have reported experiencing some indigestion when first adding maca root to their diets. Gelatinized maca is maca root that has been pre-cooked to cut down on the starch content, thus cutting down on the source of stomach upset. Our gelatinized red maca root capsules are a quick and easy mess-free way to add maca root to your daily routine without being troubled by the flavor or starch of maca root, if those things have presented a problem for you in the past.

Black Maca Root

Finally, we come to black maca root, the rarest of the maca root colors making for only 15-20% of the yearly maca harvest. Despite (or perhaps because of) its rarity, it’s one of our bestselling products. Whereas red maca root is considered “women’s” maca, black maca root is assigned more “masculine” qualities. It’s said to support muscle-building, male libido, stamina, and strength. Natural bodybuilder Ed Urbano attributes part of his success to a regular healthy dose of black maca root. If you don’t like the taste of maca powder and you have difficulty choking down capsules, try out our black maca root liquid extract. It contains only two ingredients: organic black maca root and vegetable glycerin derived from coconut palms. Just hold 1/4 tsp (2 droppersful) of black maca liquid extract under your tongue for 30 seconds up to 3 times a day or as directed by your health care professional…or, if it’s easier for you, mix your liquid maca in with your beverage of choice and drink as you would normally!

Why Choose the Maca Team?

 All of our organic maca products are certified Fair Trade, GMO-free, and vegan. If you have any questions about our maca, we’d love to hear them! Don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at (888) 919-8616.

Enjoy the day!