Food is increasingly becoming a focal point for consumers aiming to uphold a healthy lifestyle. With a growing emphasis on adding protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants, functional foods are gaining significant popularity. A white paper from Kerry indicates that 65% of consumers are actively seeking functional benefits from their food and beverages. According to Zion Market Research, the global market for functional ingredients was valued at $64.9 million in 2018, and projections suggest it could approach $100 million by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.74%. As demand continues to rise, increased awareness of the benefits of sacha inchi could lead to its incorporation into a wide range of food and beverage products.
The beauty industry has already successfully integrated this nutrient-dense pod into various products, yet the food sector has yet to embrace it fully. Amazon Health Products aims to change this narrative. Sacha inchi seeds, sometimes likened to nuts, grow in star-shaped pods found in rainforests. With a robust nutritional profile that positions it among superfoods, its potential is significant. Research from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health indicates that 27% of the seed is protein, making it an excellent plant-based protein source. Additionally, flour derived from these seeds contains 55.92% protein. The same study highlights sacha inchi’s impressive omega-3 content of 45.2% and a considerable amount of vitamin E.
However, achieving superfood status is challenging, even with increased marketing and education about these seeds. Numerous ingredients, including duckweed, goldenberry, prune, and soybean pulp, have the potential to earn the superfood label. While many are eager to claim this title and offer functional benefits, there is no stringent definition of what qualifies as a superfood, nor is there a guarantee that consumers will accept it.
Sacha inchi made its debut in Whole Foods markets as early as 2008 and soon appeared in Trader Joe’s, but it hasn’t gained significant traction. This may be attributed to the peculiar aftertaste of the seeds, described by reporters from the Huffington Post as somewhat fishy. Amazon Health Products is not the sole entity attempting to popularize these seeds; Imlak’esh Organics, health food website Pure Formulas, and artisan oil producer La Tourangelle are also importing them.
Despite this, the seeds offer one of the top five nutrients that consumers seek in functional foods: omega-3s. Therefore, there is substantial potential for success if a solution can be found to address the aftertaste. One possible approach is to incorporate these seeds into powders that consumers can mix with other beverages or foods to mask the flavor, a strategy that Amazon Health Products is exploring with its Starseed brand. Alternatively, manufacturers could embrace the seeds’ natural flavor profile, using these protein-rich and omega-3-laden pods as ingredients in plant-based burgers, enhancing the authentic taste of products designed to mimic meat.
Currently, the market for sacha inchi remains small, as does its production. Food Navigator reported that Amazon Health Products collaborates with approximately 1,000 family farms in the Amazon rainforest to secure its supply. These farms cultivate sacha inchi year-round, as it is not a seasonal crop. However, the supply remains relatively limited. If the seed gains traction in the U.S. market, its consumption could be constrained by the production capacity of farmers.
Moreover, as consumers look for the best sources of nutrients like calcium, many are increasingly interested in products that combine benefits, such as the best calcium citrate with magnesium. As awareness of functional foods grows, sacha inchi could find its place alongside these sought-after nutrient combinations, further enhancing its appeal in the health-conscious market.