Acerola (Malphighia glabra)

Other names: Barbados cherry, tropical cherry, malpighia, malpighia

Acerola, which is also known as Barbados cherry, tropical cherry, malpighia or malpighia, is a plant species native to the South American region. It is a small tree or shrub that reaches a height of 2-3 metres. It produces small oval fruits that are bright red in colour when ripe. The fruit is high in vitamin C, far surpassing typical citrus fruits - it is even reported to contain up to 30 times more vitamin C than an orange. They are also rich in antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, calcium and iron. Acerola is therefore a very healthy fruit that contributes to the overall health of the body.

A number of products are made from acerola fruit. The most common are acerola jam, juice or syrup, which can be consumed on their own, added to various drinks or used as an ingredient in baking and cooking. In recent years, acerola powder has also become very popular as a dietary supplement and can easily be added to smoothies, yoghurt or muesli. Malpighia glabra plants are also used in the cosmetics industry. Thanks to its high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, acerola is a great helper for the skin - it promotes collagen production, smoothes wrinkles and helps fight acne. Therefore, acerola extract is often added to creams, serums, masks and other cosmetic products.