John Myers
The fruit of the South American lucuma tree is a valued food in the growing countries and is also referred to as “Gold of the Incas” in Peru. In Germany, lucuma powder is advertised as a superfood that is said to have a positive effect on health. Is that true?
Fruit powder with medicinal properties? lucuma
Like fruit in general, the lucuma fruit also provides important vitamins. According to the consumer center, the ingredients do not differ greatly from local varieties. Vitamin B3, vitamin C, iron, and carotenoids are mentioned. Instead of reaching for superfoods that have traveled too far, you can cover your need for the nutrients contained in the Lucuma with local products.
As a fresh fruit, Lucuma is hard to come by in Germany anyway and is sold dried and ground into powder. The manufacturers advertise with all sorts of health-related statements: Lucuma powder is said to strengthen the immune system, promote digestion and, due to the low glycemic index, be beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. None of these claims have been scientifically proven.
This is how lucuma powder can be used in the kitchen
If the effect of Lucuma does not play a primary role, you can of course try the powder. Due to the very sweet taste, even small amounts are suitable for flavoring desserts, drinks, cakes, yoghurts or muesli. The easily soluble powder is easy to process and makes dishes nice and creamy.
However, too much of a good thing is reflected in the calorie account, because the freeze-dried lucuma powder contains a lot of sugar. 100 grams provide about 400 calories. For this reason, Lucuma cannot be considered the first choice of fruit for the diet of diabetics.
The exact contents are non-existent
A disadvantage of lucuma powder is the lack of declaration of the exact composition: a general problem with superfoods. The packaging of the trendy greens – powder made from dried vegetables – does not contain any information on the quantities of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements it contains. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) therefore warns against an overdose of certain vitamins through dietary supplements. If you would like to supplement your diet with valuable plant-based food when in doubt, it is better to use fresh fruit and vegetables or frozen food as a durable alternative. Incidentally, you can also make powder yourself by drying fruit at low temperatures in the oven and then grinding it. Instead of Lucuma, simply use raspberries, apricots, or bananas.
