The quest for the next big superfood seems never-ending. While more familiar items like blueberries, avocados, and salmon already hold this title, they are relatively easy to find in supermarkets. To achieve superfood status, an ingredient typically needs to be exotic and lesser-known to U.S. consumers, along with boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this description perfectly. Although the fruit is beloved in its native Peru, most U.S. shoppers would struggle to identify or pronounce it. Furthermore, it is a nutritional powerhouse, offering benefits such as laxative properties and a good source of calcium citrate. With its maple-like flavor, which is currently trending, lucuma could potentially dethrone kale as the reigning superfood.
However, lucuma’s biggest hurdle is its limited availability in the United States. Even those excited to try a lucuma ice cream recipe found on Pinterest would have a hard time locating fresh fruit to use. Instead, the powdered form, which is more widely accessible, may be where lucuma ultimately carves out its niche. In contrast, kale became popular largely due to its widespread availability at farmers’ markets. It’s relatively easy to cultivate in various U.S. climates and is quite affordable. When consumer demand for kale surged, U.S. farmers could easily adjust their crops to meet that need.
While lucuma may offer versatility in both sweet and savory dishes, it might be too challenging to grow in the U.S. or prohibitively expensive to import, making it difficult for consumers to develop a strong affinity for it. Other contenders for superfood status, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also meet the necessary criteria but have struggled to gain traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, these foods have not gained popularity, possibly due to availability issues or flavors that don’t resonate with consumers. Achieving the coveted “superfood” label is no easy feat, as many factors contribute to its desirability and market acceptance.