Maca is a tuber (root) that grows high in the Andes mountains. People indigenous to the area have eaten maca roots and fed them to their livestock for thousands of years. Consuming them is reported to have a positive effect on mental acuity, energy levels, libido and fertility. Traditionally, the roots were cooked and eaten cách sử dụng bột thông cống in soups or as part of other dishes.
In the 1990s, the use of maca roots for health and wellness spread beyond Latin America. It was at this time that powdered maca started being produced in large quantities. That’s because powdered maca is easier to ship and store and is more hygienic that the whole roots.
Use these guidelines to make sure you get the best quality maca powder possible.
Insist on certified organic powdered maca – Believe it or not some maca roots are now grown in depleted soil using chemicals and way too many pesticides. You simply can’t expect that these will work as well as pure, naturally grown maca root powders. Fortunately there are still many farms in the Andes dedicated to traditional organic cultivation of maca roots. Always go for these – the certified organic products – whenever you purchase powdered maca.
The drying process used – what you want to look for is maca powder that has been dried under the sun. Even in the Andes, the sun isn’t so hot that it destroys precious enzymes and phytonutrients within the roots. The other way to dry maca is in big machines that sometimes use high heat. Choose maca that has been dried with solar rays for the best results.
Maca roots should be cleaned with natural cleaners – Ask how the dirt is removed from maca roots. It should only involve gentle cleansers that are organic and absolutely non-toxic. To save money some companies use chemical disinfectants that are actually potentially dangerous.
The grinding process – some of the grinders actually heat the maca roots to the point that precious nutrients are lost. All maca grinding should be done in stainless equipment that is sterilized and under low heat conditions.