Lucuma Powder Organic

Where does Lucuma come from?

Lucuma has been called the 'gold of the Incas'. Lucuma (pouteria lucuma) has been cultivated by locals in the Peruvian highlands of South America for 2,000 years, ever since the caramel-sweet fruit was discovered. In Peru, 26 villages are named after this deliciously sweet fruit.

The lucuma tree grows best at an altitude between 450 and 1000 metres. The tree can withstand drought well, but cannot withstand frost. High humidity is needed to produce the fruit. Lucuma trees only start producing fruit after 5 years and each tree produces up to 500 fruits per year. The fruits are yellow-brown in colour and can weigh up to one kilo each.

Processing into Lucuma powder

The lucuma tree bears fruit throughout the year, but the main harvest takes place in spring between January and April. When the fruit falls from the lucuma tree it is not yet ripe and the pulp is too hard to be edible. The fruit must be stored under hay until the bitter white latex breaks down and the pulp softens, but even when the fruit is ripe, the flesh remains relatively firm.

Lucuma powder is made by thoroughly washing the ripe fruit and cutting it into small pieces, then drying them completely. The drying process keeps the temperature below 45°C so that no nutrients are lost. The dried pieces are then carefully ground into a fine powder, which can be stored for up to 2 years while retaining its nutty caramel taste.

Nutritional value and use

The sweet taste is similar to caramel and is considered one of the oldest sweeteners on earth. The powder dissolves easily so it can serve as a substitute for sugar. The powder is mainly used as an ingredient for syrups, jam, candy, ice cream and chocolate. But you can also bake with lucuma powder. There are several dishes for biscuits and cakes with Lucuma.

Lucuma powder is used as a healthy sweetener because it contains many other nutrients. It is rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals, and fibre. Also, the fruit has a high potassium content and contains many vitamins B1, B2, B3, vitamin A and vitamin C.

To buy Lucuma powder

On our website you can buy organic Lucuma powder in packages ranging from 100 grams to 20 kg.

Where do I purchase organic lucuma powder?

You can buy organic lucuma powder at Vehgroshop of course. In our web shop you can order organic lucuma powder in quantities from small to big. Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss out on any more organic lucuma powder offers.

Want even more info?

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