Peru is the birthplace of many unique foods. As the third largest country in South America, it has a highly diverse typography with unique microclimates. This has led to a flourishing ecosystem and resulted in some of the world’s most amazing fruit and vegetables (aka Superfoods) with astounding levels of powerful nutrients. See how many Peruvian Superfoods you’ve tried from our list below!
In TVNZ’s “Tour of Beauty” hosted by Rachel Hunter – she explores the Peruvian markets and tries the local produce to discover their health and beauty secrets... A recent movement towards clean eating and a greater understanding of Superfoods has directed more and more attention towards the Peruvian region.
The Camu Camu plant is a low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. The lemon-sized fruit is light orange to purple-red in colour with yellow pulp. Camu Camu fruit is slightly sour to taste and but has the highest documented source of natural vitamin C complex in the entire plant kingdom!
Vitamin C can maximise your health by improving blood circulation, enabling collagen production for healthy skin, teeth and gums, as well as helping to normalise immune system function. It can also help to protect the body from free radicals, slowing down the aging process. Other benefits include eye health, stress support and heart health. 
Maca Root has been used by the native Peruvian people since pre-Incan times, for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. It is an important staple in the diets of these people, as it has one of the highest nutritional values of any food crop grown in the region.
Did you know there’s more than one variety of maca? The combination of amino acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and other plant compounds makes maca root a powerful adaptogen. This means that it can increase the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and to promote or restore internal balance. 
Purple Corn Flour originates from the Andes region of Peru. This ancient variety of corn has been growing since well before the birth of modern horticulture, and is nutritionally superior to regular corn flour. This is due to the dark purple colour, which is an indication of the abundance of the anthocyanin antioxidants within. Purple Corn flour also contains protein, dietary fibre and other vitamins and minerals making it a great low GI alternative to regular wheat flour. Low GI foods help you maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.
Research has found that this wonderful vegetable might also help to protect against colon cancer, assist in weight management and help lower blood pressure!
Quinoa has been used as a highly nutritious food in South America for thousands of years. It is very versatile with a slight nutty flavour, and can be used as a substitution for rice and other grains. The red and black seeds are nutritionally superior to regular white quinoa seeds as they carry more polyphenol antioxidants.
Our Instant Quinoa Powder is a nutrient-rich, ready to consume powder with a delicious mild nutty taste. It has been ground with an innovative organic milling technique, meaning it does not need to be cooked before consumption. This process optimises the quinoa by breaking down the stubborn starch and fibre bonds, releasing quinoa’s impressive nutrients for superior absorption and digestion. 
The evergreen cacao tree is native to the tropical regions of South America where it has been a very important food source for thousands of years. Its botanical name (Theobroma cacao) literally translates to “Food of the Gods”. Medicinal uses for cacaodate back as far as the 16th Century, and range from helping to reduce fatigue to improving mood and heart strength. Our Organic Cacao Powder is sourced from Criollo cacao, the original, rarest and finest heritage variety of cacao, sustainably harvested from ancient groves in remote areas of Peru. It is considered to be the best tasting of all cacao varieties. 
Lucuma is a native fruit of Peru with a soft fermented taste It has green skin, bright yellow-orange flesh and a large seed (similar to an avocado). Traditionally known as the “Gold of the Incas”, carvings of the fruit have been discovered on ceramics excavated from ancient burial sites on the coast of Peru as it was considered as a sacred food item.
Our organic Lucuma Powder is made from whole Peruvian lucuma fruit and can be used as a delicious, 100% natural sweetener. Lucuma is also Peru’s #1 ice cream flavour! Try it in our delicious Lucuma Nice Cream recipe. 
Dating back 8,000 years, Peruvian amaranth is one of the world’s oldest known food crops. It was a staple food of the Aztecs who called it the “Golden Grain” and is now used in many cultural dishes around the world.
Our Organic Amaranth is grown in its native habitat in Peru, resulting in a premium grain with a high nutritional profile and packed with protein and fibre. Amaranth has a mild, nutty flavour and a crunchy texture. It is very versatile and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. 
Known as the “Apple of the Earth”,Yacon is a crisp, sweet tasting root which has been enjoyed for centuries in Peru due to its delicious flavour and unique nutritional profile.
Our organic Yacon Root Powder has a delicate sweet taste, with hints of maple syrup and caramel. It has a low G.I. of 34 due to its large content of indigestible carbohydrates, which are not absorbed into the bloodstream. Yacon Root is also naturally low in calories.