Maca Powder Benefits, Taste & How to Use It
Maca powder has become one of the most popular wellness powders on our shelves. Here's what maca actually is, what it tastes like, easy ways to use it, what the research really says, and who should be careful.
Quick answer: maca is a root vegetable from the high Andes of Peru, dried and ground into a powder. It has an earthy, malty, slightly nutty taste and is mixed into smoothies, porridge and drinks.
What is maca?
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is related to radishes and turnips. It has been grown and eaten in Peru for thousands of years, where it's traditionally cooked, dried or made into drinks and porridge. Today it's sold worldwide as maca root powder.
What does maca taste like?
Earthy and malty, a little like butterscotch or toasted oats. It blends well with banana, cocoa, cinnamon and milk.
How to use maca powder
- Smoothies: blend with banana, milk and a little cocoa or peanut butter.
- Porridge and pap: stir into oatmeal or ogi (pap) after cooking.
- Warm drinks: whisk into hot milk with cinnamon and honey.
- Baking: add a spoonful to pancakes, muffins or energy balls.
Start small, around 1 teaspoon a day, and follow the directions on your package.
Maca benefits: what the research says
People take maca for energy, mood and libido. A number of small studies have looked at these uses, and some found modest effects, but the research is limited and mixed.1-3 Maca is best thought of as a nourishing food, not a cure for any condition.
Who should be careful
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, since safety hasn't been studied.
- Anyone with a thyroid condition: raw maca contains compounds that can affect the thyroid.
- People with hormone-sensitive conditions.
- Anyone taking medication: check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Questions
What is maca good for?
Maca is traditionally eaten as a nourishing food. People take it for energy, mood and libido, but research on these uses is limited.
How much maca should I take?
Start with about 1 teaspoon a day and follow your package directions.
Is maca African?
No. Maca comes from the Andes in Peru. Many of our customers enjoy it alongside African and Caribbean wellness favorites.
Can women take maca?
Many do, but avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, and talk to your doctor if you have a thyroid or hormone-related condition.
What does maca taste like?
Earthy and malty, a little like butterscotch or toasted oats.
Sources
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Maca (About Herbs)
- Shin BC et al. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med, 2010
- Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review. Front Pharmacol, 2024
- Brooks NA et al. Beneficial effects of maca on psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women. Menopause, 2008
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own health.
