Scientifically this fruit is known as Myrciaria dubia. It is rich in vitamin C, even richer than lemon. This plant grows in humid areas and even on the banks of rivers.
This fruit is seasonal and can usually be found in greater abundance between February to June and from October to November.
It should be noted that in the Peruvian Amazon jungles, there is a special day where Camu Camu Day is celebrated, and farmers perform this holiday on October 16.
The camu camu fruit is widely used to strengthen defenses due to the high concentration of vitamin C.
Origin and Current Growing
This plant traces its origins in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru. This plant is native to the flood zones of the Amazon basin. Its growth is wild.
This fruit is considered tropical and is distributed in several countries, such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela. However, this type of plant species has its development mainly in the upper part of the Orinoco basin to the vicinity of the state of Rondônia in Brazil.
Most of the harvesting of this fruit occurs in the Peruvian Amazon, specifically in the regions of Pevas and Pucallpa.
Physical Characteristics
- It is a shrub plant of approximately 10ft (3m) in height with a leafy cup.
- It has long, thin, sloping, and flexible branches.
- The stem is not very robust; it can reach up to 15 cm in diameter if it is very branched.
- Both the branches and the stem are reddish or brown.
- The roots can handle high humidity, which is why they grow near streams and rivers.
- Its flowering is whitish, hermaphrodite, with a particular intonation towards brown.
- This fruit is small, similar to grapes, approximately 3 cm in diameter, with a bright red, green, or mixed color.
- The pulp is juicy, commonly white, or in some cases, dyed pink.
- Inside, this fruit has between 2 to 4 seeds.
Taste
It has a markedly acidic flavor because it contains 30 times more vitamin C than an orange.
Nutritional Information
This fruit is rich in vitamin C; scientists have revealed that it is one of the fruits with the highest vitamin C content in the world. It also contains Serine, Valine, Leucine, Glutamate, Aminobutanate, Proline, Vitamin B1, B2, and B5
Its nutritional table is as follows:
| Component | Content per 100 gr |
| Energy | 16 Kcal |
| Water | 94,40 % |
| Humidity | 93.20 g |
| Protein | 0.50 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.90 g |
| Starch | 0.44 g |
| Sugar | 1.28 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.10 g |
| Calcium | 28.00 mg |
| Copper | 0.20 mg |
| Iron | 0.53 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Oil | 0.20 g |
| Ash | 0.20 g |
| Phosphorus | 15.00 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.01 mg |
| Rivoflabine | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin | 0.61 mg |
| Ascorbic acid | 2089.00 mg |
Properties and Benefits
This fruit has excellent healing properties, possibly prevents cancer, is energetic, and has great values of vitamin C. It also relieves cardiovascular ailments.
It is a great source of antioxidants:
Antioxidants are substances that tend to neutralize the body’s radicals, reducing the risks of developing certain conditions, including the deterioration of mental functions.
Antiviral and Anti-Influenza:
This fruit has historically been listed as an anti-flu due to the high content of vitamin C, helping against the common cold and cough.
Herpes Treatment:
It is an effective treatment to combat the damage caused by cold sores or shingles, given its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties.
Digestive effects:
Another excellent property that it presents relies on its significant digestive effect due to the serine, one of its components, enhancing the functioning of the entire digestive tract and system.
Produces well-being and happiness:
It contributes to the increase in the levels of the hormone serotonin, which produces the feeling of being happy, in addition to normalizing sleep.
Stable and healthy body:
The consumption of this rich fruit increases the values of calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and niacin.
Healthy growth:
Thanks to collagen production allows the formation of resistant and membranous structures in terms of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, nails, teeth, and even hair.
Uses
This fruit has great potential in food applications, given its high ascorbic acid contents.
You can consume it fresh or make juices, yogurts, ice cream, nectars, flours, desserts, jams, and other presentations.
To prepare the juice or soft drink of this fruit, you need:
– 50 gr of the fruit
– Cold water
– Sugar
All the ingredients are mixed, strained, and ready to serve in glasses in a blender.
You can find the Camu Camu Whole Wheat Flour in the market: a 100% natural product obtained from the grinding of the fruit, specifically the shell, pulp, and seed.