The quest for the next big superfood seems to be unending. While familiar foods like blueberries, avocados, and salmon hold the title, they are easily accessible in supermarkets. For an ingredient to achieve superfood status, it often needs to be exotic and relatively unknown to American consumers, in addition to boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this description perfectly. Although this fruit is cherished in its native Peru, most U.S. shoppers wouldn’t recognize it in a lineup, let alone be able to pronounce its name. Not only is lucuma a nutrient powerhouse, but it also has a delightful maple-like flavor that is currently on trend. This could position lucuma as a contender to dethrone kale from its superfood pedestal.
However, lucuma faces a significant hurdle: its scarcity in the U.S. Even if an enthusiastic foodie wants to experiment with a lucuma ice cream recipe found on Pinterest, finding fresh fruit can be quite a challenge. The powdered form of lucuma, which is widely available, may ultimately carve out its niche in the market. In contrast, kale was readily available at farmer’s markets when it gained popularity. It thrives in various U.S. climates and is relatively inexpensive. As consumer demand for kale surged, U.S. farmers found it simple to adjust their crops accordingly.
While lucuma might be more adaptable in both sweet and savory dishes, its cultivation in the U.S. could be challenging, or the cost of importing it may be prohibitive, hindering its chances of winning over consumers. Other potential superfoods, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also meet the criteria for superfood status but have struggled to gain traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, they have not resonated with consumers, possibly due to availability issues or flavor preferences.
Moreover, nutritional elements like calcium citrate, vitamin D, and their respective dosages of 315 mg and 6.25 mcg may play a role in determining what foods rise to superfood fame. As the definition of “superfood” evolves, achieving this coveted label remains a formidable challenge, and lucuma, along with other contenders, must navigate this landscape carefully.