Is a hot cup of Joe or an iced coffee your go-to? Are you left feeling jittery from the caffeine fix? Then maca powder may be your new favorite morning pick-me-up.
Ground from the maca plant of Peru’s Andes Mountains, maca powder provides a smooth energy boost without stressing the adrenals (no caffeinated jitters) along with a host of other benefits. Maca is especially effective in regulating hormonal health: It can help mitigate PMS symptoms, diminish menopause symptoms, boost libido and fertility, lift mood and depression, and enhance mental cognition.
Maca is fairly subtle in flavor, especially when combined with stronger ingredients like cacao, turmeric or coconut. On its own, it’s mildly spiced and warming, almost like butterscotch.
We’ve compiled the definitive list on ways you can drink maca in the morning or any time of day. From superfood hot chocolate recipes (complete with carob sauce!) to anti-aging turmeric coconut smoothies to coffee-replacing lattes, maca finds its way into every recipe and, in turn, enhances your health.
Awakening Chocolate Maca Milkshake
This ultra-rich and decadent dessert combines maca with fellow delectable superfoods dark chocolate and coconut, both in flake and cream form.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Awakening Chocolate Maca Milkshake
Maca Mocha
Maca subs in for coffee’s jittery caffeine kick with a smooth, brightening energy boost—all the while maintaining the characteristic creamy chocolatey flavor of a mocha.
Recipe: In Sonnet’s Kitchen | Maca Mocha
Cacao Matcha Smoothie
This refreshing blend of cacao, maca and matcha has a surprising benefit—PMS relief for menstruating women—all thanks to, you guessed it, maca.
Recipe: The Crunchy Chronicles | Cacao Matcha Smoothie
Caramel Protein Smoothie
Opt for the optional maca add-in for a dessert-like smoothie that won’t leave you feeling guilty.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Caramel Protein Smoothie
Maca Citrus Superfood Smoothie
If you’re dairy-free, use coconut yogurt in place of Greek yogurt in this tropical maca smoothie.
Recipe: Growing Up Herbal | Maca Citrus Superfood Smoothie
Vanilla Caramel Almond Milk
With date caramel, natural vanilla essence and energizing maca, this milk is the ideal base for a Paleo latte.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Vanilla Caramel Almond Milk
Golden Milk
Creamy, warming spices like turmeric and cinnamon blend with maca for a comforting glass of milk that’s as good for you as it tastes.
Recipe: New Nostalgia | Golden Milk
Mocha Maca Matcha
Three great things—plus other delicious, health-boosting bonuses like turmeric and cinnamon—come together in one healthy, energizing breakfast treat.
Recipe: My Life Cookbook | Mocha Maca Matcha
Almond Maca Cinnamon Smoothie
A smoothie that tastes like a cookie, all while helping to balance your hormones—we’ll take it!
Recipe: Wallflower Kitchen | Almond Maca Cinnamon Smoothie
Mocha Maca Smoothie
Feel free to up the health factor and drop in a handful of greens before blending this beauty up.
Recipe: My Spiritual Roadtrip | Mocha Maca Smoothie
Maca Latte
Best enjoyed in sweater weather, this latte nixes the coffee and lets a blender do all the work.
Recipe: Julie Morris | Maca Latte
Pineapple Maca-Bliss Smoothie
Try maca in this refreshingly simple take on a tropical smoothie.
Recipe: Blissful Basil | Pineapple Maca-Bliss Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Maca Protein Smoothie
If you’re looking for a meal that will sustain you and energize you, try this protein-packed fruit and maca blend.
Recipe: A Fit Philosophy | Strawberry Banana Maca Protein Smoothie
Not So Moody Maca Smoothie
One of the many benefits of maca is its ability to boost your mood—so try this smoothie, made with sleep-inducing cherries and healthy stomach probiotics when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.
Recipe: Ascension Kitchen | Not So Moody Maca Smoothie
Cinnamon, Sunflower Seed and Maca Smoothie
Another smoothie that tastes like a cookie but fills you with energy—the very definition of a “win-win.”
Recipe: Blissful Basil | Cinnamon, Sunflower Seed and Maca Smoothie
Chocolate Maca Mint Protein Smoothie
A would-be mint chocolate chip milkshake gets a healthy makeover.
Recipe: The Fit Fork | Chocolate Maca Mint Protein Smoothie
Tonic Chai Latte
This tonic chai latte is jam packed with superfoods—including maca—as well as mind-sharpening Schizandra and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory chai tea.
Recipe: Young and Raw | Tonic Chai Latte
Vanilla Maca Latte
This maca latte adds an energizing boost to herbal coffee—all caffeine-free, of course.
Recipe: Delicious Obsessions | Vanilla Maca Latte
Happy Hormones Hot Chocolate
Who wouldn’t want to balance their hormones by drinking yummy hot chocolate?
Recipe: Homespun Capers | Happy Hormones Hot Chocolate
Cashew Maca Hot Chocolate
This maca hot chocolate uses a cashew cream and uber-rich dark chocolate for a decadent drink that’s perfect for the cooler months.
Recipe: Will Frolic for Food | Cashew Maca Hot Chocolate
Dandy Maca Latte
This maca latte variant opts for dandy coffee—an herbal coffee made from dandelion.
Recipe: Dahl House Nutrition | Dandy Maca Latte
Chocolate Malt Smoothie
This just-sweet-enough smoothie is decadent and creamy like a milkshake, thanks to surprise ingredient tahini.
Recipe: Greenblender | Chocolate Malt Smoothie
Warming Winter Smoothie
Smoothies may be served cold, but with maca, maple syrup and other warm spices and foods, this smoothie will warm your soul.
Recipe: Organic Authority | Warming Winter Smoothie
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Blueberry Maca Smoothie
This blueberry maca smoothie gets its name for the “tiffany blue” color it turns after blending.
Recipe: Scratch Mommy | “Breakfast at Tiffany’s Blueberry Maca Smoothie
Superfood Haute Chocolate
With maca, raw cacao, cayenne, cinnamon, ginger and more, this superfood drink will leave your body and mind very happy.
Recipe: My New Roots | Superfood Haute Chocolate
Chocolate Banana Swirl Smoothie
Maca can also be added to more standard smoothie combinations—like chocolate and banana—for the same energizing effects.
Recipe: Healthy Happy Life | Chocolate Banana Swirl Smoothie
Hot Maca Milk
Maca can help boost fertility and libido, so give this drink a try if you’re looking to add to your family.
Recipe: Natural Fertility Info | Hot Maca Milk
Honey Almond Fig Smoothie
What goes better together than honey, almonds and figs? Maca, honey, almonds and figs—of course.
Recipe: The Kitchen Paper | Honey Almond Fig Smoothie
Anti-Inflammatory Blueberry Smoothie
Enjoy the combination of anti-inflammatory blueberry and cayenne with the smooth energizing effects of maca.
Recipe: Be Whole Be You | Anti-Inflammatory Blueberry Smoothie
Cocoa Tonic
Reishi and maca powder come together with a host of other tasty ingredients for the ultimate healthy tonic.
Recipe: In the Making by Belen | Cocoa Tonic
Anti-Aging Coconut Turmeric Smoothie
Enjoy the anti-aging benefit of coconut and turmeric with a boost of maca in this smoothie.
Recipe: Hello Glow | Anti-Aging Coconut Turmeric Smoothie
Maca Mood Booster
Need an alternative to creamy, rich iced coffee that doesn’t leave you jittery? Give this iced maca mood booster a try.
Recipe: Young and Raw | Maca Mood Booster
Superfood Hot Chocolate with Carob Sauce
This maca and other superfood-blended hot chocolate comes topped with a delicious carob sauce.
Recipe: Vanillacrunnch | Superfood Hot Chocolate with Carob Sauce
Autumn Morning Reishi Brew
Best enjoyed on, you guessed it, an autumn morning.
Recipe: The Joyful Hearth | Autumn Morning Reishi Brew
“Peanut” Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Try this Paleo take on a comforting childhood classic with a Paleo-friendly nut butter and maca.
Recipe: Oh Lardy | Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
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