Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small bushy tree in the the Amazon Rainforest vegetation in Peru and Brazil, which bears a red/purple cherry like fruit. Its small flowers have waxy white petals and sweet smelling aroma. It has bushy feathery foliage.

The plant is extremely tolerant of flooding. Trees begin to bear fruit after about 4 to 6 years. There is one harvests every year. It flowers at the end of the dry season and fruits at the peak of the rainy season. It is relatively easy to cultivate. It survives best in hot, damp tropical climates but will grow in the subtropics. It requires large amount of water.

Camu camu is used mainly for its edible fruits. The most important property of the camu camu fruit is its extraordinarily high Vitamin C content, which is about 2-3% of fresh weight. Camu camu has also a unique aroma and fruit pigmentation. A reddish pigment in the leathery skin imparts an attractive and unique pink color on juices extracted from camu camu. The aroma is subtle.

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 it contains the amino acids valine, leucine and serine, and is also rich in flavonoids.

Benefits attributed to Vitamin C consumption:

•   antioxidant that protects the body´s cells
•   necessary for keeping blood vessels healthy and for wound healing
•   necessary to build and maintain healthy bone, teeth, cartilage, gums and skin
•   contributes to iron absorption from food                                                                 
•   helps the nervous system work and normal mental funtion
•   helps support the body´s immune system
•   essential for the energy metabolism

Recommended intake: 1 teaspoon (5 g) a day mixed with water or juice

* Reference intake

Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dark and dry place. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. There is no substitute for a varied diet. Not for children under 3 years of age, pregnant and nursing women.