Are you struggling with a summertime sweet tooth? It’s hard to resist tasty treats like popsicles, ice cream and sugary iced coffee drinks when the sun is pounding down on you and you’re looking for a refreshing quick-fix! Try our Iced Lucuma Cocoa the next time you have the urge for something sweet, cold and frothy. It’s not only refreshing, but also packed with nutrients.
Lucuma, once referred to as “Gold of the Incas,” is a golden-fleshed fruit native to the high altitudes of the Peruvian Amazon. Lucuma’s unique flavor notes of maple and custard, in addition to its low glycemic index of 25, make it the preferred sweetener of the Andes. Lucuma pairs nicely with cacao, a powder derived from the tropical superfruit commonly used in the making of chocolate.
When combined, Lucuma and cacao serve as a dense source of vitamins and minerals, including carotenes, antioxidants, niacin, and iron. While carotenes and antioxidants have strong anti-aging and immune-boosting properties, niacin helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, and reduce inflammation and the overall risk of cardiovascular disease.
Given its low glycemic index, lucuma is not only considered a safe and natural sweetener for diabetics, but it’s also great in assisting weight loss. Cacao also promotes diabetes management by lowering insulin resistance, naturally suppressing appetite and aiding in weight loss.
| Iced Lucuma Cocoa Recipe (Serves 1) |
| Ingredients: |
| 2 tablespoons cacao powder2 Tablespoons Lucuma |
| 1 cup milk of choice |
| Shot of espresso (optional) |
| Equipment: |
| Blender |
| Instructions: |
| 1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse to combine. |
| 2. Pour over ice and enjoy. |
| More recipes just like this in Peruvian Power Foods Book. Order on Amazon |
