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Acerola Cherry Facts

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Acerola-cherry-factsAcerola cherry possess 65 times more Vitamin C than orange. The single fruit provides the minimum requirement of Vitamin C of the recommended amount. It looks like a cherry with acidic and sweet flavor. Fruit loses its flavor as well as nutritional content very fast.

Name Acerola cherry
Scientific Name Malpighia emarginata
Native South America, Central America and Mexico, but now is being grown on Texas, India.
Common/English Name Acerola, Dwarf Barbados Cherry, Barbados Cherry, Garden Cherry, Indian Cherry, Huesito, Native Cherry, Manzanita, Surinam Cherry, Puerto Rico Cherry, West Indian Cherry
Name in Other Languages Brazil: Acerola, Cereja-Do-Pará;
Barbados (Spanish): Buesito, Acerola;
Czech: Malipigie Lysá;
Danish: Barbadoskirsebær;
Dutch: Geribde Kers;
Eastonian: Sile Malpiigia;
French: Acerolier, Cerise De Cayenne;
German: Acerola-Kirsche, Barbados-Kirsche;
India: Vallaria Simeyaranelli;
Panama (Spanish): Cereza, Grosella;
Papiamento: Whimaruku Machu;
Philippines (Tagalog): Malpi;
Portuguese: Cerejeira, Cereja Do Pará;
Spanish: Acerola, Cereza De Jamaica;
Surinam (Dutch): Shimarucu;
Thai (Bangkok): Choeri ;
Venezuela (Spanish): Semeruco, Cemeruco;
Vietnamese: So’ri
Plant Growth Habit Evergreen, semi deciduous and fast growing
Growing Climate Tropical and subtropical climate
Soil Loamy and well-drained
Plant Size 3-6 m (6.6–9.8 ft.)
Root Shallow
Branchlets Brittle and woody branches
Leaf Glossy, elliptical and dark green, length: 5–10 cm, width: 2.5–5.5 cm
Flowering Season Summer-fall
Flower Pink, Size: 1-2 cm, Diameter: 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 inch)
Fruit shape & size Oblate- round, small, Diameter: 1.5 to 4 cm
Fruit weight 5-7 g
Fruit color Bright red
Flesh color Yellow to orange
Fruit peel Thin
Flavor/aroma Sweet, tart
Fruit Taste Sour
Seed Small, rounded, three seeds
Varieties/Types Sweet varieties: Tropical Ruby, Hawaiian Queen, and Manoa Sweet
Sour varieties: J.H. Beaumont, C.F. Rehnborg, and Haley.
Fruit Season Summer-Autumn
Major Nutritions Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 1644 mg (1826.67%)
Copper, Cu 0.084 mg (9.33%)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.303 mg (6.06%)
Carbohydrate 7.54 g (5.80%)
Vitamin A 37 µg (5.29%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.059 mg (4.54%)
Magnesium, Mg 18 mg (4.29%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) 14 µg (3.50%)
Potassium, K 143 mg (3.04%)
Total dietary Fiber 1.1 g (2.89%)
Iron, Fe 0.2 mg (2.50%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.392 mg (2.45%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.02 mg (1.67%)
Phosphorus, P 11 mg (1.57%)
Calcium, Ca 12 mg (1.20%)
Health Benefits
  • Induced oxidative stress
  • Prevent Obesity
  • Prevent Diabetes
  • Antioxidant Benefits
  • Prevents Liver Damage
Calories in 1cup (98 gm) 31 Kcal
Traditional uses Fruits: Diarrhoea, dysentery and problems related to liver, cold and cough are treated with the use of fruits.
Puree: Used as topping on ice cream, cake, pudding or sliced bananas
Precautions
  • The symptoms of the reactions such as upset stomachs, insomnia and sleeplessness might be experienced.
  •  Too much consumption of acerola cherries results in diarrhea.
  • The huge amount of vitamin C could be harmful to the gout patients because it enhances uric acid level.
  • Acerola interact with estrogens.
  • The pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid the acerola cherries.
  • Due to the high amount of vitamin C, it might lead to the formation of kidney stones.
How to Eat
  • It is eaten ripe.
  • It is also preserved in the form of jam, jelly or syrup.
  • This fruit is also used to produce some types of alcohol.
  • The sliced berries are served in the form of fruit cup, fruit salad, etc.
Other Facts
  • Acerola cherries possess double amount of magnesium, potassium and vitamin B5 than oranges.
  • Acerola also enhances the immune system due to high content of vitamin C, eliminates heart disease and prevents cancer.
  • Vitamin C assists in the treatment of anti-aging treatment.
  • The sore throat could be relieved if gargled with the juice.

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