Camu camu, also called cacari and camocamo, is a small tree that grows alongside rivers in the western and central Amazon basin in South America. It bears purple, cherry-sized berries which, due to their extreme acidity, are typically sweetened into jams, jellies, and juices, rather than eaten raw. The berries have been utilized for medicinal purposes by Amazonian Indians for centuries, and were often made into hair tonics. Although they are not well-known fruits in…
Ground cherries (also called husk cherries and cape gooseberries) are small, orange fruits that grow inside thin, lantern-like husks. They belong to the nightshade family, and are native to temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world, including North America. Despite their name, ground cherries are more closely related to tomatoes than cherries, and their sweet, refreshing taste – comparable to that of strawberries – lends them well to salads, desserts, jams, and juices. Ground cherries…
The purple mangosteen is a tropical tree that is native to Southeast Asia but also grows in South America and other consistently warm climates. It bears sweet, juicy fruits that are characterized by their fragrant white flesh and inedible purple rinds. Mangosteens are universally cherished for their nutritional value, and mangosteen products – including mangosteen juice and powder – have become immensely popular in the Western world. Below is a list of reasons why these strange, peach-sized…
Strawberries are one of the most attractive, popular, and glamorized fruits available today. Their bright red color, enchanting aroma, and wonderfully subtle and sweet taste have made them a heavily sought-after fruit in most parts of the world. They are primarily eaten raw, although they can also be added to foods and beverages to provide that ever-pleasing strawberry flavor. Pies, milkshakes, ice creams, milks, and yogurts are just some foods that routinely feature strawberries as…
Many nutritionists consider the avocado, which is native to the region stretching from the central highlands of Mexico to the Pacific Coast of Central America, to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world. This is because, unlike most other fruits, these green-skinned, single-seeded berries are rich in beneficial fats that are proven to boost our health in countless ways. However, avocados are also bursting with many other nutrients lacking in the Western diet,…
