Naturya Organic Lucuma Powder 300g

Lucuma is a fruit that grows to a length of between 4-8cm. Pouteria Lucuma is a part of a genus of trees that have been long been used in traditional medicines and are thought to have antioxidant activity. Lucuma is extremely popular in Peru and Chile due to its delicious flavour, which has been described as similar to maple syrup. The fruit can be eaten raw but is commonly used as flavouring in ice creams and desserts. The fruit is native to the Andean valleys; growing naturally in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Northern Chile and Bolivia. It commonly appeared in pre-Columbian art, in both potteries and textiles, underlining its importance to these cultures.Efforts to grow Lucuma outside its native habitat have been met with very limited success. For example, while Lucuma now grows in Costa Rica, attempts to introduce it to the USA have so far failed.

Our Lucuma powder originates from Peru, where it benefits from the temperate conditions, with seasonal rains and high relative humidity.The Pouteria Lucuma tree, which bears the fruit, will normally reach a height of around 8 – 15 metres and can produce up to 500 fruits a year. Lucuma fruit is harvested in the summer, between the months of January and April. Although Lucuma can be eaten raw it is highly perishable so is often dehydrated and groundinto a powder to preserve the nutrients and flavour. The Lucuma fruit falls from the tree before it is ripe and must be stored in dry hay until it softens. Once ripe, the Lucuma is carefully washed before being sliced into small segments. The segments are dehydrated at a temperature below 45°C, which helps the Lucuma retain its nutrients and means it remains a completely raw product. After dehydration, the dried fruit is milled into a fine powder that can be stored for up to two years, without any loss of flavour or nutrients.

Lucuma is commonly used in the creation of home-made ice cream and can be used to supplement a wide variety of desserts. Its butterscotch taste means it can be used in almost any recipe, from fudge to mousse, and it combines well with cocoa nibs. As well as acting as a flavouring or sweetener, Lucuma is also great in smoothies that need an extra burst of flavour. For an easy fix, simply stir some Lucuma powder into a glass of milk or water.