IngredienTrade

Camu Camu

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Myrciaria dubia, commonly known as Camu Camu, is a low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon rainforest, mainly in swampy or flooded areas. Normally wild-harvested in the rainforest in canoes, the fruits mature during the high water or flooding seasons in the Amazon. It bears a red/purple cherry like fruit.

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The extraordinarily high vitamin C content (in the order of 2-3% of fresh weight) is the most important property of the Camu Camu fruit. Camu Camu has also a unique aroma and fruit pigmentation. A reddish pigment in the leathery skin (probably anthocyanins) imparts an attractive and unique pink color on juices extracted from Camu Camu. The juice has a unique, tart and refreshing flavor, a good alternative to the common Lemon and Lime flavors.

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Camu Camu is more recently also used in ice creams, sweets, etc. Processed powder from the fruit pulp is beginning to be sold in the west as a health food in loose powder or capsule form. In addition to the high vitamin C content, Camu Camu contains the amino acids Valine, Leucine and Serine, and is also rich in Flavonoids.