Maca (Lepidium meyenii) grows high in the Peruvian Andes at around 4,000 metres. Every field produces roots in different colours, and although it's all the same plant, each colour has its own character. Andean families have long chosen their maca by colour, and modern research is starting to show why: each colour has a different profile of bioactive compounds such as macamides and glucosinolates.
All of our maca is certified organic, sun-dried in the Andes for around four months, and pre-cooked and activated so it is easy to digest. Here's why you should never eat raw maca.
Yellow maca: vitality
Energy, vitality and long-term balance. Yellow (or cream) maca is the most common colour, making up around 60% of the harvest. It's the everyday maca: mild, nutty and easy to add to smoothies, coffee or cacao.
Traditionally used for: energy, mood, hormonal balance and general wellbeing.
Find it in: Activated Yellow Maca, Chocolate Maca, Maca for Women, Maca for Men and MCB Oil.
Red maca: balance
Inner strength, calm and hormonal harmony. Red maca is rarer (around 25% of the harvest) and naturally sweeter. It is traditionally favoured by women through every stage of life, and has been studied for its effects on bone health and the prostate.
Traditionally used for: women's health, calm, bones and prostate health.
Find it in: Concentrated Red Maca, Maca for Women, Maca for Men and MCB Oil.
Black maca: strength
Outer strength, stamina and a sharp mind. Black maca is the rarest root (often less than 10% of the harvest). It is traditionally prized for strength and endurance, and has been studied for its effects on memory and focus: it's often called the food of the brain.
Traditionally used for: stamina, muscle, focus and men's health.
Find it in: Concentrated Black Maca, Maca for Men, Maca for Women and MCB Oil.
Three strengths: 1×, 10× or 100×
- 1× Powder & capsules for daily, long-term balance: our Yellow and Chocolate Maca, and Maca for Women and Maca for Men blends.
- 10× Concentrated powder for intensive support: Concentrated Red and Black Maca.
- 100× MCB Oil: all three colours in one, our strongest maca. See what our University of Otago research found.
Which colour is right for me?
- New to maca, or want everyday energy? Start with yellow.
- Looking for balance and calm, especially for women? Choose red.
- Want stamina and focus, especially for men? Choose black.
- Want it all? Our Maca for Women and Maca for Men blends combine all three colours, and MCB Oil concentrates all three into a few drops.
This article is for educational purposes and describes traditional use and early research. It is not medical advice. If you are pregnant, have a health condition or take medication, talk to your healthcare practitioner before using maca.
Peruvian maca in Australia
Our organic, activated maca and MCB Oil ship Australia-wide from our Gold Coast team, and are stocked by health food stores across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Want to learn more in person? Join one of our maca and cacao workshops in South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
