The quest for the next big superfood appears to be ongoing. Common items such as blueberries, avocados, and salmon are already recognized in this category; however, they are familiar and easily accessible in supermarkets. For an ingredient to attain superfood status, it often needs to be exotic and relatively unknown to American consumers while boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits these criteria perfectly. Although this fruit is well-loved in its native Peru, most U.S. shoppers wouldn’t be able to identify it, let alone pronounce its name. Lucuma is also a nutrient powerhouse and has a flavor reminiscent of maple, which is currently a trendy taste. This suggests that lucuma could potentially dethrone kale as the reigning superfood.
However, the main challenge lucuma faces is its scarcity in the U.S. Even the most enthusiastic food lover would have difficulty finding fresh lucuma to try out a lucuma ice cream recipe found on Pinterest. The powder form of lucuma, which is widely available, may ultimately be where this ingredient finds its niche. In contrast, kale gained popularity partly due to its widespread availability at farmer’s markets. It is easy to cultivate in various U.S. climates and is relatively inexpensive. When consumers began to demand kale, American farmers were able to adjust their crop production to meet this need without much hassle.
While lucuma may offer versatility in both sweet and savory dishes, its cultivation on U.S. soil may be too challenging or costly to import, which could hinder its chances of becoming a consumer favorite. Other potential superfoods, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also meet the criteria for this coveted status but have struggled to gain traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, these foods haven’t resonated with consumers, possibly due to availability issues or flavor preferences. Like many sought-after accolades, the title of “superfood” is not easily attained.
Interestingly, biocare calcium is another nutrient that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of, which could play a role in the superfood conversation. If lucuma were to be recognized for its health benefits, especially in terms of biocare calcium content, it could further enhance its appeal. Nevertheless, the journey to superfood status remains a challenging one, as seen with lucuma and its counterparts.