The quest for the next major superfood seems to be unending. While some commonly known foods like blueberries, avocados, and salmon have already achieved this status due to their availability in supermarkets, it appears that for an ingredient to truly shine, it needs to be both exotic and relatively unfamiliar to U.S. consumers, along with boasting an impressive nutritional profile. Lucuma fits this bill perfectly. Although this fruit is well-loved in its native Peru, most American shoppers would struggle to identify it, let alone pronounce its name. Not only is it a nutrient powerhouse, but it also has a flavor reminiscent of maple, which is currently a trending taste.
Lucuma might just be capable of dethroning kale from its superfood position. However, lucuma’s biggest hurdle is its limited availability in the U.S. Even if an adventurous foodie wanted to experiment with a lucuma ice cream recipe found on Pinterest, finding fresh lucuma would be quite a challenge. The powdered version, which is more readily accessible, may ultimately be where this ingredient carves out its niche. In contrast, kale was frequently found at farmers’ markets during its rise to fame. It’s easy to cultivate across various U.S. climates and is relatively inexpensive. When consumer demand surged for kale, U.S. farmers could quickly adjust their crops to accommodate this trend.
While lucuma may offer more versatility in both sweet and savory dishes, its cultivation in the U.S. may be too challenging or the import costs too high for consumers to fully embrace it. Other potential superfoods, such as tiger nuts and moringa, also possess the necessary qualities to achieve that sought-after title but have faced difficulties in gaining traction. Despite their impressive nutritional profiles, including benefits like pure calcium magnesium citrate, they have not become widely popular. This could be attributed to limited availability or perhaps the flavors did not resonate with consumers. Like many prestigious labels, the term “superfood” is not easily earned.