Maca Root Explained: Yellow, Red and Black Maca Compared

Maca is one of those ingredients that people have heard of long before they know what it actually is. It is a root vegetable, it comes in several colours, and it is sold as powder, capsules and concentrated extracts. This guide explains where maca comes from, how the yellow, red and black types differ and how to read a maca label properly.

What is maca?

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant in the brassica family, which makes it a distant relative of turnips, radishes and cabbage. The part that is eaten is the rounded root, known botanically as a hypocotyl, which looks a little like a small turnip. It is a food first and foremost, and in its home region it has been eaten for centuries, dried and then boiled, roasted or ground into flour for porridges, drinks and baking.

Where does it come from?

Maca grows in the high Andes of Peru, mostly on the plateaus of the Junín and Pasco regions at around 4,000 metres above sea level. Few crops can be grown at that altitude, with its strong sun, cold nights and frequent frost. After harvest the roots are traditionally left to dry outdoors for several weeks before they are processed.

Yellow, red and black maca compared

All three are the same species. The names describe the colour of the root's skin, which comes from natural plant pigments, not from different plants.

• Yellow maca is the most commonly grown type and makes up the majority of each harvest.
• Red maca has a pink to purple skin and is grown in smaller quantities.
• Black maca has a dark grey to black skin and is the least common of the three.

Flavour and colour of the finished powder vary slightly between types, but the main differences for a shopper are availability and price. Products sold simply as "maca" do not always state a colour. If the colour matters to you, look for it in the product name or ingredient list.

Forms and what to look for on a label

Maca is sold in three main forms:

• Raw powder: dried, ground root.
• Gelatinised powder: the root is heated and pressurised to remove much of the starch. Despite the name, it contains no gelatin.
• Extract: a concentrated form, usually given as a ratio such as 10:1, meaning ten parts of dried root were used to make one part of extract.

When you compare labels, check:

• the amount of maca per capsule and per daily serving
• whether it is powder or extract, and the extract ratio if there is one
• any marker compounds declared, such as macamides and macaenes, which are naturally present in maca
• the colour, if stated
• the capsule type and whether the product is suitable for vegans

How people take it

Maca powder is often stirred into smoothies, porridge or warm drinks. Capsules and extracts should be taken as stated on the label, at the serving the label gives, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. If you use both a powder and a capsule, remember they are the same ingredient.

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking maca if any of the following apply to you:

• you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding
• you take any prescription medication or are under medical supervision
• you are under 18 (our products are not intended for anyone under 18)
• you have a thyroid condition, or a hormone-sensitive condition

Frequently asked questions

Is maca the same as ginseng?

No. Maca is sometimes called "Peruvian ginseng", but it is a completely different plant from a different family. The nickname is a marketing habit rather than a botanical description.

What does a 10:1 maca extract mean?

It means roughly ten grams of dried root were used to make one gram of extract. A 600 mg capsule of 10:1 extract is therefore described as equivalent to 6,000 mg of root.

Which colour should I choose?

That comes down to personal preference. All three are the same plant, so choose by the label details that matter to you: form, amount per serving and suitability.

Mother Nature products

We offer maca in three versions, each in a vegan HPMC capsule:

• Maca Root 600mg Vegan Capsules: 600 mg of 10:1 root extract per capsule, equivalent to 6,000 mg of root, providing 0.6% macamides and 0.6% macaenes. 1 to 2 capsules daily.
• Red Maca Root 600mg Vegan Capsules: 600 mg of red maca 10:1 dried root extract per capsule, equivalent to 6,000 mg of root. 1 to 2 capsules daily.
• Black Maca Root 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg of black maca 10:1 root extract per capsule, equivalent to 5,000 mg of dried root. 1 to 2 capsules daily.

You can browse the collection our maca range sits in.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.