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From beautiful coastlines and rainforests to mountains with peaks above 5000 m, Peru is a land of extremes. In extreme areas, plants grow that are exceptionally rich in nutrients. Today, these superfoods from Peru are also available to us.
Cocoa trees thrive in the dense rainforests of Peru thanks to the fertile soil and humid environment. Ground raw cocoa powder is naturally rich in fiber and minerals. Thanks to those nutrients, cocoa is good for your gut, immune system, energy levels, and performance. Cocoa has a bitter taste and is a delicious addition to shakes, smoothies, desserts, or baked goods.
Maca is a root crop that thrives high in the Peruvian Andes and effortlessly adapts to extreme weather conditions. As a result, maca is rich in nutrients that act as a natural source of energy and stimulate libido by functioning as an aphrodisiac. Maca has a sweet, earthy flavor and works well in shakes, smoothies, and desserts.
Along the coast of Peru thrives the lucuma tree, which bears sweet, low-calorie fruits. For this reason, Peruvians use lucuma to sweeten desserts. Lucuma offers a vitamin-rich alternative to sugar and has a low glycemic index. Sprinkle some lucuma powder over preparations or use this Peruvian sugar in shakes, smoothies, and desserts.
In the lush rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon, the camu camu shrub grows, bearing small, red berries. Camu camu berries are a concentrated source of vitamin C, helping to strengthen the immune system and reduce fatigue. Try a scoop of tangy camu camu powder in shakes, smoothies, and desserts.