When I discover a superfood, I am 100% down to give it a try. I first tried maca when I was vacationing in Tulum a 3-4 years ago. I went to a cute little shack called Raw Love and ordered a maca latte from there. It had vanilla, maca, bananas, and other yummy ingredients that at a glance, had me totally intrigued. It was delicious. The next day, I went back and ordered the same thing. I think I’d go back to Tulum JUST to have that drink again.
Years went by and I never really looked into maca. But it slowly become more “mainstream” and I started hearing or reading about it in random places. That brought me memories of my maca latte in Tulum and once I really began to research the superfood, I wanted to begin incorporating it into my daily routine.
So what is maca? Maca is a radish-like tuber and is native to the Andes mountains region. Many people use it in powder form in smoothies, baked goods, or lattes. The benefits are:
- High in antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, copper, and iron
- Maca is also often recommended to those with adrenal fatigue, as it helps to reduce stress hormones
- Maca is anabolic and does help build muscle
- Can enhance energy, stamina, athletic performance, and memory
- Bonus points – it can also increase libido in men and women
I prefer maca in my morning iced lattes! It has the taste and smell of butterscotch and has notes of nutty flavors. A little goes a long way! Naturally, it took me a while to find the perfect ingredients to balance out the flavor. Unfortunately, this involved making smoothies or lattes and spitting it out because the ratio was off or the combination of flavors from other ingredients didn’t mesh well. But rejoice! I have found a sweet spot. My usual morning maca latte consists of the following ingredients combined in a blender:
- 1/2 tablespoon of maca powder (I got mine from here)
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 6 ounces of coffee
- 1 serving of coconut collagen creamer
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Half frozen or ripe banana (optional)
- 3-4 ice cubes
- A dash of cinnamon in the latte and on top of the foamy goodness after its been blended
Yum! Sometimes I have my latte with or without the banana. Either way it’s yummy and super good for you. After drinking it consistently, I noticed an increase of energy and lack of a need for caffeine later in the day. It definitely sustained my energy levels and helped me get through my work outs with more focus and stamina. I will continue to keep making it for myself in the mornings and maybe try it with decaf coffee instead to see how my energy levels change. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!