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Maca

Andean root powder with a malty flavour.

Maca — illustrative ingredient image

About Maca

Maca is an Andean root commonly dried and milled into a powder for use in drinks, smoothies, porridges, baked goods, and blended foods. Different root colours and processing methods are sold, including raw-dried and gelatinized powders, and these forms can behave differently in recipes.

Maca powder is dry, fine, and typically malty, earthy, or mildly nutty, with a flavour that can range from gentle to pronounced. It thickens liquids slightly and can feel powdery if not well dispersed. Cooking, roasting, and gelatinization may change its aroma, colour, and mouthfeel.

The powder is usually pale beige, tan, or brown, depending on the root and processing. It is sold loose or packaged and can be stirred into liquids, folded into batters, or blended with other ingredients. Heat and moisture turn the loose powder into part of a thicker drink, dough, or cooked mixture.

Ingredient type
powder

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Where maca appears

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Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for maca

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Maca

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Maca nutrition & diet

Maca nutritional value

Maca flour — U 47

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the named food form.

Calories
328kcal
Protein
8.7g
Carbs
78.9g
Fat
4.1g

Per 100 g edible portion, as recorded in Tablas Peruanas de Composición de Alimentos 2017. Carbohydrate is total carbohydrate (CHOCDF), not available carbohydrate. Values apply to this form, not prepared dishes, sauces or extracts.

Portions & preparation

Establish whether the product is raw or gelatinized maca powder, flour, extract, or a blended supplement-style preparation. Match the dry powder form and recipe amount rather than assuming all maca products are interchangeable. Drinks, porridges, bars, and desserts may add sweeteners, dairy, oils, or cereal ingredients.

Compare the right form: Establish the maca species and match raw or gelatinized root powder, flour, extract, or branded blend as applicable.

Diet considerations

Maca is a plant-derived Andean root product and can fit plant-based recipes in plain powder form. Compatibility changes in beverages, bars, porridges, and desserts containing dairy, eggs, gelatin, honey, or cereal ingredients. Powdered preparations contribute a portion-dependent carbohydrate pattern, while extracts and blends require brand or recipe details.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Peruvian Food Composition Tables 2017 — U 47 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .