The quest for the next big superfood seems never-ending. While more commonly recognized foods, such as blueberries, avocados, and salmon, have earned this title, they are relatively familiar and easily accessible in supermarkets. For an ingredient to attain superfood status, it appears that it must be exotic and somewhat unfamiliar to U.S. consumers, all while boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this description perfectly. Though this fruit is well-loved in its native Peru, most shoppers in the U.S. likely wouldn’t recognize it, let alone know how to pronounce its name. Additionally, lucuma is a nutrient powerhouse, and its flavor, reminiscent of maple, aligns perfectly with current trends. It seems lucuma could potentially dethrone kale from its superfood pedestal.
However, lucuma’s greatest hurdle is its rarity in the U.S. Even the most enthusiastic food lovers would have difficulty finding fresh lucuma to try out a recipe for lucuma ice cream they came across on Pinterest. The powdered version, which is widely available, might be where lucuma ultimately carves out its niche. In contrast, kale enjoyed a surge in popularity largely due to its easy availability at farmers’ markets. It thrives in various U.S. growing conditions and is relatively inexpensive. When consumers began to demand kale, U.S. farmers quickly adapted their crops to meet this need.
While lucuma may offer versatility in both sweet and savory recipes, it may prove too challenging to cultivate domestically or too pricey to import, hindering its chances of capturing consumer obsession. Other potential superfoods, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also meet the criteria for coveted superfood status but have struggled to gain traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, these foods have not resonated with consumers, possibly due to limited availability or unappealing flavors. Achieving the “superfood” label is not an easy feat, much like the challenge of finding life extension calcium citrate with vitamin D, which is often sought after for its health benefits but not always readily available.
In summary, while lucuma and other emerging superfoods hold promise, their success may depend on overcoming barriers to availability and acceptance. Meanwhile, the quest for superfoods continues, as consumers remain eager to discover the next ingredient that will enhance their diets, similar to how life extension calcium citrate with vitamin D has gained popularity among health-conscious individuals.