The Sunfood Difference Maca root was a sacred crop of the Incas, with Black Maca being the most rare and valuable. Maca was cherished by Incan warriors for its power to increase energy, stamina, and strength for battle. Today, athletes are enjoying the same benefits discovered centuries ago. Grown at a high elevation in its native habitat in the Peruvian Andes, our Black Maca Powder is simply made by grinding sun-dried roots into a fine powder. Maca is a root vegetable and a member of the cruciferous family, closely related to cabbage, turnips, broccoli, and many other familiar greens like kale and arugula. Originating over 5,000 years ago in the Peruvian Andes, the Lepidium meyenii (maca) plant was used by ancient Incas to increase physical performance, fight aging, enhance libido and virility, balance hormones and moods, and more. The plant is dug out of the ground, dried, and crushed to form the powder we take as a daily superfood today.