The quest for the next big superfood appears to be ever-present, with a constant search for ingredients that will capture the attention of health-conscious consumers. While familiar foods like blueberries, avocados, and salmon have already achieved this status due to their accessibility in supermarkets, it seems that to truly rise to superfood fame, an ingredient must be exotic and relatively unknown to American consumers, all while boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this description perfectly. Although this fruit is popular in its native Peru, most shoppers in the U.S. would struggle to recognize it, let alone pronounce its name. Moreover, lucuma is packed with nutrients and has a delightful maple flavor that is currently trending.
However, lucuma faces a significant challenge: its scarcity in the U.S. Even those eager to try lucuma ice cream recipes found on Pinterest would have difficulty sourcing fresh fruit. While the powdered form of lucuma is more widely available, it may be the avenue through which this ingredient carves out its niche. In contrast, kale quickly gained popularity thanks to its availability at farmers’ markets. It grows easily in various U.S. climates and is relatively inexpensive, allowing farmers to adapt their crops to meet the surging demand for kale.
Despite lucuma’s versatility in both sweet and savory dishes, its cultivation in the U.S. may prove too challenging or costly to import, hindering its potential to capture consumers’ hearts. Other contenders for the superfood title, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also possess the attributes needed to gain this prestigious status but have struggled to make a significant impact. Although both have remarkable nutritional profiles, they have not gained traction in the market—perhaps due to limited availability or flavors that do not resonate with consumers.
In this quest for superfood recognition, the word “superfood” remains a coveted title that is not easily attained. Even ingredients that could complement a health-conscious diet, such as calcium citrate without vitamin D, may not gain the same level of enthusiasm. Ultimately, while lucuma and other potential superfoods like calcium citrate without vitamin D hold promise, their journey to mainstream acceptance will depend on overcoming barriers related to availability and consumer taste preferences.