by Steven Nyland, OrganicCrops. Posted on 21 September 2022, 16:12 hrs
Camu camu is a native fruit bush/tree found in the Amazon rainforests of Peru. It grows naturally is an excellent functional food due to its high antioxidant capacity and high vitamin C contents.
Camu Camu is native to the Peruvian jungle. Red or green in color and with an acidic flavor profile, Camu Camu grows near or on the banks of rivers in the Amazon flood plains. The native golfbal-size fruit is rich in vitamin C and offers bioactive compounds that could delay or prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
The fruit is both farmed by small farming families and corporations and is harvested from wild bush that grows alongside and insde the flood plains. Each bush can produce over 2000 fruit. The bush produces fruit after 4 years.
Harvest is from February till July and from September till December. After harvest the fruit is transported by traditional small motor boats to a riverport from where it is transported to the plant for processing into pulp and powder.
Essential amino acids such as serine, valine and leucine are abundant in camu camu. The fruit is rich in nutrients like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper and zinc. Perhaps the fruit is most known for its high vitamin C content which is 40 times more lemon (per 100g product). Furthermore, camu camu is a source of betulinic acid which helps with the prevention of immune system related diseases.
2022 seems to be an excellent year for camu camu. With high demand due to the requirement for healthier food during the Corona crisis, production of camu camu has increased over the years which has resulted in a more competitive price level.
Camu camu powder is an excellent fruit drink additive. It can be added to smoothies, drinks, desserts and anything that needs Ascorbic acid in the form of natural vitamin C. It can be used as a natural flavoring for ice cream, fruit drinks, smoothies, yoghurts and baked goods. In Latin America, camu camu is a popular ingredient for ‘refrescos’, a fruit drink made from camu camu powder, water and blended with ice.