The quest for the next big superfood seems to be a never-ending pursuit. While more common foods such as blueberries, avocados, and salmon hold this title, they are relatively familiar and easily found in supermarkets. To achieve superfood status, an ingredient often needs to be exotic and not widely known among U.S. consumers, alongside boasting a remarkable nutritional profile. Lucuma fits the bill perfectly. Although this fruit is beloved in its native Peru, many shoppers in the U.S. would likely struggle to recognize or even pronounce it. Furthermore, lucuma is a nutrient powerhouse and boasts a flavor reminiscent of maple, a trendy taste at the moment. It seems lucuma may have the potential to dethrone kale from its superfood pedestal.
The primary hurdle lucuma faces is its limited availability in the U.S. Even an enthusiastic foodie hoping to whip up a lucuma ice cream recipe found on Pinterest would find it challenging to source fresh fruit. The powdered form, which is more widely accessible, might be where this ingredient ultimately carves out its niche. In comparison, kale gained popularity partly due to its easy cultivation across various U.S. regions and its affordability. When consumers began to crave kale, U.S. farmers could readily adjust their crops to meet the demand.
While lucuma may offer versatility in numerous sweet and savory dishes, its growth challenges in the U.S. or the high costs associated with importing it may hinder its chances of becoming a consumer favorite. Other potential superfoods, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also fulfill the criteria for that prestigious title but have struggled to gain traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, they haven’t resonated with consumers, possibly due to availability issues or flavor preferences. Just like the coveted status of “superfood,” recognition is not easily attained.
Interestingly, ingredients like lucuma, with their rich nutritional content, could offer benefits such as calcium citrate malate equivalent to elemental calcium, underscoring their potential health advantages. As the superfood landscape continues to evolve, lucuma and others might eventually find their place, provided they can overcome the barriers to accessibility and consumer acceptance.