Acerola

The acerola is a small tree that is thought to be native to the West Indies but is now grown from California and Texas through Central and South America and as far east as India.  The fruit of the tree is sometimes called a Barbados cherry, as it is bright red and looks like a cherry but is larger, with three lobes.  Mature acerola fruit is soft, with 80% of its content in the form of juice.  The flavor has a sweet-sour balance that is delicate and apple-y.  Like other kinds of cherries, this fruit is enjoyed raw (though the stones must be discarded), and acerola juice is consumed in Brazil in the way orange juice is consumed in the United States.  The fruit has been used as a folk treatment for fever, dysentery, high cholesterol and diabetes.  Acerola is extremely high in vitamin C; one 8-ounce serving of raw juice contains more than 6000% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of the vitamin.  Thus, acerola can be used to add natural vitamin C to juice blends, and it retains much of its nutritional value even when it is used to make wine.  It is also delicious made into jellies, jams, or syrups, or added to desserts such as pies, ice creams or sorbets.

Available Acerola Products:

• Acerola Puree