Maca is a plant known as Lepidium peruvianum Chacon, which grows in the Peruvian Andes over 4000m above sea level. These are harsh conditions, in which plants have to be good at taking up nutrients from the soil. Macas root and hypocotyl the bulbous stem below the leafy growth have for centuries been part of the diet and culture of local people. According to legend, Incan warriors consumed it prior to battle to increase their fighting spirit, and it has historically been used to enhance strength, stamina and libido. It presents a broad spectrum of nutrients, and today is increasingly popular with athletes.

There are several variants of Maca, which express themselves in the colour of the root and hypocotyl. Maca can be cream, yellow, green, red, purple, grey or black. Fundamentally these have the same basic wide nutritional profile, but they exhibit small shifts in the proportions of their secondary phytonutrients. Scientific study has begun to confirm the established dietary opinion that different colours of Maca have slightly varying nutritional properties. Rainforest Foods Maca powder contains an equal blend of 4 phenotypes of Lepidium meyenii designed as an optimal general combination. These are red, yellow, purple and black roots.