Step aside, stevia — there’s a new natural sweetener sneaking into the smoothies of the health-conscious.
This South American superfruit, once prized by ancient civilizations, has yellow-to-orange flesh and boasts flavors resembling sweet potato, caramel and maple syrup.
In the Andean valley of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador — where it originates — it’s often used as a natural sweetener, and it’s even the most popular ice cream flavor in the region.
Now lucuma, which is also known as the “gold of the Incas,” is showing up in everything from lattes to paleo snack bars, thanks to its enjoyable flavor and perceived health halo.
