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Maca is an herbaceous biennial plant or annual plant in Bolivia and Peru. Mostly it is known as Peruvian Maca. Maca grows on high mountains, and grows well only in very cold weather and in poor soil. It has been discovered that hypocotyls is one of the major constituents of naturally grown and organic maca root on mountaineous area. As hypocotyls do not form in greenhouses or in warm climates, cultivated maca in other areas than Andean mountains don't have same content of hypocotyles and other nutrients as the naturally grown and organic maca root.
People grow it for its root. Maca root can be used as vegetable or medicinal herb. Biologically maca root is rich in sugar and protein. It contains 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats. Additionally it has uridine, malic acid, benzoyl derivative, and glucosinolates etc. Dried maca root is rich in alkaloidal, minerals, and nutrients such as essential minerals (selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron), fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, and 19 amino acids, as well as polysaccharides.
Maca has been grown and consumed by South Americans for thousand of years. Maca can enhance our immune system, increase brain capability, and improves our bodily functions. It can revitalize men and women of middle and older age. Andeans have been using maca root to increase their energy, to alleviate physical and mental tiredness, and to enhance their daily intake with various nutrients. In addition, it can also help us get rid the problems caused by againg, and can prevent and cure osteoporosis and anaemia. It also regulates women's hormonal irregularities: menstruation, eases period pains, alleviates menopausal symptoms.
What is more, maca is well known for its ability to increase fertility and has long been used as a booster of libedo, so it is called as a herbal viagra. Clinical trials performed in men have shown that maca extracts or maca powder can heighten libido and improve semen quality. In addition, animal tests with maca powder has revealed that it can increase the mating behavior in male mice and rats. Such benefits could well be because of its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients, though maca contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate demnonstrating aphrodisiac properties. Therefore in Andean region, maca is regarded as the magic or symbol of youth.
How can maca be consumed
In Peru, maca is prepared and consumed in several ways. The hypocotyl can be roasted in a pit (called matia). If fermented, a weak beer called chicha de maca can be produced. The leaves can also be prepared raw in salads or cooked much like Lepidium sativum and Lepidium campestre, to which it is genetically closely related.
There are several ways. First of all, maca root can be mashed and boiled to produce a sweet, thick liquid, dried and mixed with milk to form a porridge or with other vegetables or grains for baking. Of course, Peruvians also roast it, or dry it either naturally or mechanically then ground it to powder. It is much easier for our body to digest maca powder than directly eat the root. One can add the maca root to juice, cereal, yogurt, milk, fruit salad, etc etc. So maca could be in the in the natural, powder, gelatinized, capsules or tablets forms. Some manufacturers even add maca powder into chocolates, cakes, soups etc.
The recommended daily usage is about 3-5 grams. In addition it is recommended to consume maca in the morning.
Sometimes a break from using superfoods can actually enhance their effectiveness, so it is recommended to take a week off every month of consistent daily consumption.
60/125/250/500g
Zoya.BG Recipe
Maca pate
Ingredients: 1 tbsp maca
1 tbsp tahini
1 tbsp agave/honey
1 tbsp hemp seed oil
2-4 tbsp filtred water
Spoon it all into a bowl apart from the water. With a small spoon, give it a good stir. The maca is very absorbent and your mixture will go very dry and stiff (you can just eat it like this if you're feeling piggy! or roll it into walnut-sized balls to make little sweeties). Add the water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency, runny like tahini. The end result should be sweet, rich, creamy, and irresistable!
Recipe by Kate Magic
