14 Exotic Superfoods Everyone Must Try
Everyone must try a superfood at least once in their lives. Not just the “supermarket superfoods” like eggs, blueberries, and other nutrient-dense foods that are widely available in the supermarket, but also the rare and weird-looking ones that pack a punch of much-needed vitamins and minerals.
In this piece, we’re going to introduce you to some of the world’s most exotic superfoods that you should definitely try!
1. Acai berries
Acai berries are a small, purple berry that grows on the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America, specifically in the Amazon rainforest. They are often referred to as a "superfood" due to their high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They have been traditionally used by indigenous people in the Amazon for centuries.
Acai berries have a unique taste that is described as a combination of berries and chocolate, they can be consumed fresh, but they are often found freeze-dried, powdered, or as juice, smoothies, ice cream and supplements.
You can try acai berry powdered extract and see how this exotic superfood can do wonders to your body.
Acai berries are high in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They are also a good source of healthy fats, fibre, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron. They are also high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
Learn more about acai berries here.
2. Goji berries
Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are small, red, slightly sweet berries that grow on a shrub called Lycium barbarum, which is native to China. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and are known for their high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Goji berries are often used in teas, trail mix, granola, and other snacks. They can also be found in dried, fresh and powdered form. They have a unique taste that is described as a combination of sweet and sour.
Goji berries are high in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids and flavonoids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin B2. They are also a good source of minerals such as zinc, iron, and selenium.
3. Noni fruit
Noni fruit, also known as Indian mulberry or Morinda citrifolia, is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. It grows on a small evergreen tree and is known for its high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
The Noni fruit is typically oval-shaped, greenish-white to yellow in color, and has a strong, unpleasant smell when it is ripe. It is traditionally used to make juice, supplements and traditional medicine.
Noni fruit is high in antioxidants, particularly anthraquinones, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B3. It contains minerals such as potassium, calcium, and iron.
4. Camu camu
Camu camu is a small, red fruit that grows on the camu camu bush, which is native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. The camu camu bush grows along the rivers and is often found in flooded areas. The fruit is known for its high levels of Vitamin C, making it one of the richest natural sources of this nutrient.
Camu camu is typically consumed in the form of powder, juice, or supplements, and it has a sour and tangy taste. It can be added to smoothies, yogurt or oatmeal to provide a boost of Vitamin C.
Camu camu is known for its high levels of Vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system, healthy skin, and strong connective tissues. It also contains antioxidants, amino acids and minerals such as potassium, iron and phosphorous.
5. Maca root
Maca root is a root vegetable that grows in the Andes mountains of Peru. It has been traditionally used by the Incas and other indigenous people of the region for centuries as a food source and for its medicinal properties.
The maca root is typically available in powder form, just like this amazing Black Maca Powder although it can also be found in capsules, tablets, and liquid extract. It has a nutty, malty taste and is often used to make smoothies, energy bars, and as a supplement.
Maca root is known for its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12, as well as minerals such as Iron, Calcium, and Zinc. It is also a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber.
However, depending on the colour variety of maca, the nutritional profile and health benefits of this superfood may also differ.
6. Lucuma
Lucuma is a subtropical fruit that grows on the Pouteria lucuma tree, which is native to the Andean region of South America, specifically in Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Lucuma has been traditionally used by the indigenous people of the region for centuries as a food source and for its medicinal properties.
The fruit is typically round or oval-shaped with a yellow-orange flesh and a dry, starchy texture. It has a sweet, maple-like flavor and is often used to make ice cream, smoothies, and as a sweetener. It is also available in powder form.
Lucuma is known for its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly high in Beta-carotene, Vitamin B3, Iron and zinc. It is also a good source of carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats.
8. Baobab fruit
Baobab fruit is the fruit of the Adansonia tree, also known as the "baobab tree", which is native to Africa and other parts of the world. The tree can live for thousands of years and is known for its large trunk and thick branches that resemble roots. The fruit has a hard, woody shell that contains a powdery, tangy-tasting pulp, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The baobab fruit can be added to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal to provide a boost of nutrients. The fruit powder has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor and can be used as a natural sweetener in baking or cooking.
Baobab fruit is known for its high levels of Vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system, healthy skin, and strong connective tissues. It also contains antioxidants, fiber and minerals such as potassium, iron and phosphorous.
9. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera or Indian ginseng, is a small, perennial shrub that is native to India and North Africa. The plant is known for its medicinal properties, and its root and berry have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
It has a strong, earthy taste and is also used in traditional herbal medicine to make a decoction and in Ayurvedic medicine to make a medicated oil.
Ashwagandha is known to have various health benefits due to its chemical compounds, such as withanolides (natural occurring steroids), which have anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. It is believed to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve brain function, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and help with symptoms of depression and insomnia. It may also boost fertility in men and women and increase muscle mass and strength.
10. Chaga mushrooms
Chaga mushroom, also known as Inonotus obliquus, is a type of fungus that grows on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as the northern hemisphere, particularly in Siberia, Canada, and some parts of the United States. It is known for its medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Chaga is typically consumed in the form of chaga mushroom capsules, freeze-dried chaga powder, or supplements, or chaga mushroom tincture. It has a rich, earthy flavor. It can also be used to make tea or added to soups and other dishes for added nutrition. Check out other delicious ways to use our chaga!
Chaga mushroom is known for its high levels of antioxidants, particularly beta-glucans, which have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of other beneficial compounds such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids and melanin.
It is believed to help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation. It may also have potential to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and improve blood sugar levels.
11. Astragalus root
Astragalus root, also known as Astragalus membranaceus, is a perennial plant that is native to China, Mongolia, and other parts of Asia. The root of the plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to support the immune system, improve heart health, and promote overall well-being.
You can enjoy this superfood in a variety of ways: astragalus capsules, astragalus tincture, or supplements. It has a sweet, earthy flavor. Much like other superfoods, it can also be used to make tea or added to soups and other dishes for added nutrition.
Astragalus root is known for its high levels of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids and polysaccharides, which have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of other beneficial compounds such as triterpenoids and saponins. It is believed to help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation. It may also have potential to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and improve blood sugar levels.
12. Shilajit
Shilajit, also known as mumijo, is a blackish-brown, tar-like substance that is found in the Himalayan Mountains of India, Nepal, and Tibet. It is a natural mixture of minerals, humic acids, and fulvic acids that is excreted from certain types of rocks. It has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine for centuries for its therapeutic properties.
Shilajit is typically consumed in the form of a resin, which can be dissolved in water or milk and consumed as a liquid. Shilajit may also come in other various forms like shilajit tincture and shilajit extract powder.
Shilajit is known for its high levels of minerals, particularly fulvic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also a good source of other beneficial compounds such as humic acid, amino acids and triterpenoids. It is believed to help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation. It may also have potential to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and improve blood sugar levels.
13. Cordyceps
Cordyceps mushroom, also known as Cordyceps sinensis, is a type of fungus that grows on the caterpillars of certain species of moths and butterflies, typically found in the high-altitude regions of China, Tibet, and Nepal. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine for centuries for its medicinal properties.
Cordyceps mushroom is typically consumed in the form of powder, capsules, or supplements. You can also eat raw wild-harvested mushrooms, which has a rich, earthy flavor, so it’s best taken with honey and milk.
Check out our cordyceps mushroom collection here!
Cordyceps mushroom is known for its high levels of antioxidants, particularly polysaccharides, which have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of other beneficial compounds such as cordycepin and adenosine. It is believed to help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation. It may also have potential to help to lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels. It is also used as a natural alternative to improve athletic performance and physical stamina. Learn more here.
14. Maqui berries
Maqui berries, also known as Aristotelia chilensis, is a small, deep purple berry that grows on a shrub in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. The berries have been traditionally used by the Mapuche people of the region for centuries for their medicinal properties and as a food source.
Maqui berries are known for their high levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and minerals such as potassium, calcium and iron. Maqui berries are believed to have various health benefits such as helping to improve heart health, boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. They may also have potential to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and improve blood sugar levels.
If these potential health benefits excite you, you may try our Freeze-Dried Maqui Berry Powder!
Buy exotic superfoods from Superfood Australia
Give yourself a health boost by taking home one or two from our superfoods collection! We got super mushrooms, super berries, and all types of superfoods for you to choose from.
We ship Australia-wide, and we’ll gladly take care of the shipping fee for orders worth over $100. Shop now!
