Maca is easy to take once you know three things: how much, when, and how to make it taste good. Here is what we tell every customer who asks.

How much maca powder per day

Start small. One level teaspoon a day, about 3 grams, is a good beginning for most adults. After a week, if you feel fine, you can move up to one heaping teaspoon or two level teaspoons. Traditional use in Peru and most published studies fall in the range of roughly 1.5 to 3 grams a day, so there is no need to go higher than that.

If you prefer capsules, our Triple Maca Capsules take the measuring out of it. Follow the serving on the label.

When to take it

Morning is the most popular time. Maca is not a stimulant and has no caffeine, but many people find it gives a steady, even feeling of energy, so they like it before the day starts rather than at night. Take it with food or in a drink. On an empty stomach some people find it a little heavy.

How long until you notice something

Maca works quietly. Most people say they notice a difference in energy, stamina or mood after two to four weeks of taking it every day. Consistency matters more than amount. One teaspoon every morning beats a big spoonful twice a week.

Some people take a short break every few months, for example one week off after eight to twelve weeks. This is a tradition rather than a rule, and both ways are fine.

Which color to choose

  • Red maca: the calming color, traditionally used for hormonal balance, mood and bone support, in men and women alike.
  • Black maca: the color traditionally used for energy, stamina, focus and physical performance.
  • Yellow maca: the everyday maca, the most common color in Peru.
  • Triple Maca: all three colors in one perfectly balanced pouch, the choice if you are not sure where to start, or if everything is already fine and you just want a subtle lift. The maca we suggest for teens.

All Incaliving maca is grown high in the Peruvian Andes, gelatinized so it is gentle on the stomach, certified organic, and flown to the USA.

How to make it taste good

Maca on its own tastes malty and earthy, a bit like a cross between butterscotch and a radish. Good pairings:

  • Smoothies with banana, cacao, peanut butter or dates.
  • Warm drinks: stir into coffee, hot chocolate or a golden milk.
  • Oatmeal and overnight oats, with cinnamon.
  • Baking: add a tablespoon to pancake, muffin or energy ball batter.

Our post on black maca smoothies has three tested recipes.

Who should check with a doctor first

Maca is a food, and it has been eaten daily in Peru for centuries. Still, please talk to your doctor before starting if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you take medication for your thyroid or hormones, or if you have any medical condition. This is common sense for anything new in your routine.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take maca every day? Yes. Daily use is how it has traditionally been eaten in Peru.

Should I take maca in the morning or at night? Morning or midday. A few people find it too energizing close to bedtime.

Can I cook with maca? Yes. Gelatinized maca is already heat treated, so baking with it is fine.

Does maca have caffeine? No. Maca is a root vegetable and contains no caffeine.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.