Acerola (Malphighia punicifolia
L.) is a small tree or shrub that
grows up to 5 m high in the dry,
deciduous forest. It produces an
abundance of bright red fruit 1-2
cm in diameter, with several small
seeds that look similar to the European
cherry. For this reason, acerola
is also known as the Antilles, Barbados,
Puerto Rican, or West Indian cherry
tree.
The mature fruits are juicy and
soft with a pleasant, tart flavor.
Acerola can be found growing wild
and under cultivation on the sandy
soils throughout northeastern Brazil.
It is native to northern South America,
Central America, and Jamaica. Its
cousin, M. punicifolia, is present
as far north as Florida and Texas.
In North America, acerola is used
for its high content of vitamin
C. Dried acerola fruit extracts
can now be found in tablet form
and as an ingredient in many over-the-counter
multivitamin products in the United
States as a natural form of vitamin
C.
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