About Lucuma Powder Organic
Lucuma powder is a dried, milled version of lucuma fruit. Cultivated in the Andean region of South America, the fresh fruit is a nutritional powerhouse and commonly used in the foods of Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The light brown powder has become a preferred alternative sweetener worldwide. Touted as a “superfood,” the plant-based sweetener with a maple-like flavor can be added as-is to beverages, smoothies, desserts, and some soups.
Our supplier make sure our Pouteria lucuma trees grow well before they are harvested. They are grown at high altitudes in Peru where they originally grow. The fruits are harvested between January and April, because then the fruits are of the best quality. After harvesting, the lucuma fruits are cut into small slices and then dehydrated at temperatures below 45 degrees Celsius. The temperature is very crucial as it can destroy the flavor of the fruit if it is not right. When the fruits are dried out, they are ground into a fine powder. The powder is then tested for any presence of fruit sprouts. No chemicals and other substances are used within this process, making it a 100% pure product. Our Organic Lucuma Powder can be stored for up to two years.
As a fruit, Lucuma is full of healthy carbohydrates which is a wonderful way to increase the healthy unrefined whole food sources of carbohydrate in your diet. It contains vitamins B1, B2 and B9, phosphorus, proteins and fibers. Lucuma has the same amount of calcium as a glass of cow’s milk, as well as plentiful amounts of beta-carotene (an anti-carcinogen), zinc, iron, vitamin C, niacin (B3), and fiber. It also contains 14 essential trace minerals.
Storage and shelf life
Store organic lucuma powder in a dry and sealable food storage container – we recommend glass. Keep the container in a cool, dry and dark area out of the sun. Sunlight can reduce the nutritional quality of the powder. Keep the container away from liquids that may leak into it.
Stored well, lucuma powder has a shelf life of 24 months
Shipping and delivery
The product is available for delivery and pick up from our store in de Pijp.
The product is delivered in recycled paper bags.
Nutricional information
100 grams of lucuma contains 1.1 grams of fiber and 2.3 grams of protein. Lucuma is extremely rich in calcium and potassium. Powdered lucuma has more nutrients and fewer calories than the fruit.
How to use
In beverages: Stir lucuma powder into your beverage as you would regular sugar. The slightly sweet taste of lucuma pairs well with more bitter herbal teas or coffee. To sweeten a single-serving smoothie, use one to two tablespoons of powder.
In Baking, Lucuma powder can be used as a sugar substitute in some recipes. Be aware that it is nowhere near as sweet as sugar, nor does it have the same texture as sugar. It is usually best to substitute a few tablespoons of flour called for in a recipe with lucuma powder, and then reduce the amount of sugar called for in a similar amount.
In Peru, lucuma is commonly used for ice cream and desserts. With its caramel-like flavor, lucuma powder also makes a wonderful addition to any homemade nut milk
Other interesting information
Bussmann, R.W., Glenn, A. Medicinal plants used in Northern Peru for reproductive problems and female health. J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine 6, 30 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-6-30
Pinto Mda S, Ranilla LG, Apostolidis E, Lajolo FM, Genovese MI, Shetty K. Evaluation of antihyperglycemia and antihypertension potential of native Peruvian fruits using in vitro models. J Med Food. 2009 Apr;12(2):278-91. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2008.0113. PMID: 19459727. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19459727/