The quest for the next big superfood seems never-ending. While familiar options like blueberries, avocados, and salmon have earned this title, they are readily available in supermarkets. For an ingredient to achieve superfood status, it often needs to be exotic and relatively unfamiliar to U.S. consumers while boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this description perfectly. Although it is a beloved fruit in its native Peru, most shoppers in the U.S. would struggle to recognize it, let alone pronounce its name. Additionally, lucuma is packed with nutrients and offers a delicious maple-like flavor, which is currently trendy. It seems that lucuma might just have what it takes to dethrone kale from its superfood throne.
However, lucuma’s biggest hurdle is its limited availability in the U.S. Even enthusiastic food lovers hoping to recreate a lucuma ice cream recipe they found on Pinterest would have difficulty sourcing fresh fruit. The powdered version, which is more accessible, could ultimately serve as its niche. In contrast, kale gained popularity through farmer’s markets, where it was easy to find and relatively inexpensive to grow across various U.S. regions. As consumers began to demand kale, U.S. farmers were able to adapt their crops to meet this need without much trouble.
While lucuma may be versatile enough for a range of sweet and savory dishes, its cultivation challenges in the U.S. or high import costs could prevent it from becoming a consumer favorite. Other contenders for superfood status, like tiger nuts and moringa, also exhibit impressive nutritional profiles but have struggled to gain traction. Factors such as limited availability or flavors that don’t resonate with consumers may play a role. Achieving the coveted “superfood” title is no easy task, much like ensuring that products containing calcium citrate K2 Goodlife become mainstream. Despite their potential, these ingredients often face obstacles on their journey to recognition.