Berry, berry tangy and tart are the fruit of Myrciaria dubia, commonly known as camu camu, a low lying and bushy riverside tree native to South America.  These reddish purple fruit boast zippy flavor notes reminiscent of zesty lemon and ruby red raspberries.  The berries are harvested in season, and then usually dried and made into powder for use (thanks to their super sour flavor, the berries are not typically consumed as a whole food).

Their extraordinarily high Vitamin C content is the berry’s claim to fame, but camu camu is also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, beta carotene, amino acids and some powerful phytochemicals.

So we all know Vitamin C is a powerful immune booster, but why else should we care about consuming it in high doses?  Well, it is also believed that “C” can “see” us through possible health improvement from various ailments including cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, and eye disease.  It is also thought that C helps reduce inflammation in the body.  It is even a team player when it comes to our battle against aging – this vitamin is essential to collagen formation, so making sure we get enough can help keep our skin supple and sublime!

As mentioned, you will rarely find camu camu in fruit form, but you can buy this healthy bite in a number of different forms, including powder, juice, and capsules.  All super easy to slip into smoothies, flavored ice creams, sweets and beverages.  There are loads of products on the market, so here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Navitas Naturals Camu Powder

Organically grown in Peru, gentle freeze-drying methods are used to protect and maximize the nutrient potential of this extraordinary superberry powder.