Lucuma

Lucuma suppliers and sourcing guide

Lucuma is the fruit of Pouteria lucuma, a tree of the Andean valleys of Peru, Chile and Ecuador, with dry, sweet, yellow-orange flesh. The ingredient is mostly lucuma powder, made by peeling and pitting ripe fruit, slicing and drying the flesh at low temperature, then milling it. It is used in ice cream, smoothies, baked goods and snacks for its flavor and color, and frozen pulp is also traded.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Botanicals and mushrooms
Also known as: Pouteria lucuma · Lucuma obovata · lucuma fruit powder · lúcuma
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of lucuma

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

Powder
Dried, milled fruit flesh at a stated mesh, the main traded form.
Organic powder
Powder from certified organic fruit, common in this market.
Frozen pulp
Fruit flesh frozen in blocks or pails for ice cream and dessert makers.
Fine-mesh grade
Powder milled finer for drinks and smooth textures.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity and sensory: Color, odor, taste and appearance against a reference sample, since color and flavor reflect fruit ripeness and drying.
Moisture and water activity: Loss on drying and water activity, which govern caking and microbial stability.
Microbiology: Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria for powders and frozen pulp.
Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
Pesticide residues: Multi-residue screen, required for organic claims.
Particle size: Sieve analysis, which affects dispersion in drinks and texture.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep lucuma powder sealed in moisture-proof packaging in a cool, dry place away from light; it is hygroscopic, cakes easily and darkens with heat and humidity. Frozen pulp must stay frozen. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with moisture and micro rechecked on older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Color and sweetness vary with fruit ripeness and drying temperature, so record origin, moisture and a color reading or retained sample for each lot and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for lucuma (POL-NF-00480), which lists Pouteria lucuma as a synonym of Lucuma bifera, concerns only the fruit and lists it as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Lucuma suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking lucuma suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of lucuma can brands buy?

Common forms include powder, organic powder, frozen pulp and fine-mesh grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for lucuma include?

Expect identity and sensory, moisture and water activity, microbiology, heavy metals, pesticide residues and particle size, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should lucuma be stored?

What is the regulatory status of lucuma?

The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for lucuma (POL-NF-00480), which lists Pouteria lucuma as a synonym of Lucuma bifera, concerns only the fruit and lists it as not novel in food.

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