The Root Ritual | Sliced Dried Maca Root (8 oz)

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a member of the mustard family native to the central Andes of Peru, where it grows high on the puna, roughly 13,000 to 14,500 feet above sea level, in cold, wind-swept conditions few crops can tolerate.

Archaeological evidence points to its cultivation around Lake Junín, and for generations Andean farming families have grown it, harvested it, and dried it in the open air so it could be stored and carried through the year. For most of its history, maca was a local food grown in a small region of the Peruvian highlands.

We honor the people and places that have kept this tradition alive.

Sliced dried maca is a whole, traditional ingredient, not an instant powder, so it asks a little more of you. In Peru, maca is traditionally cooked rather than eaten raw: the dried root is boiled until it softens, and the cooked root has long been used in porridges (such as mazamorra), soups, drinks, and baked goods. Raw maca is fibrous and hard to digest, so plan to cook it.

A simple way to begin: rinse the slices, then simmer them gently in water or milk until soft, with warming spices if you like. Enjoy the softened root in porridge or soup, or blend it into a warm drink.

Because dried roots vary, cook until tender rather than by the clock, and start with a small portion to get to know the flavor.

Earthy, nutty, and gently malty, with a natural hint of sweetness once cooked. Maca can be an acquired taste, so warming companions help it shine.

Lovely with: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, coconut milk, oats, cacao, vanilla, and a touch of honey or maple.

Keep your maca sealed in its resealable pouch or an airtight jar, in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat, steam, and sunlight. Always use a clean, dry spoon or clean hands.

Dried whole roots keep well when protected from moisture. Discard if you notice mold, dampness, or an off smell. See the package for the best-by date.

Maca is offered here as a food ingredient. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Please talk with a qualified healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy; have a hormone-sensitive condition; take prescription medication (including blood pressure medication); or have upcoming lab work that measures hormone levels.

Cook before eating. Stop using it if you feel any discomfort. Keep out of reach of children.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.