Origin / Growing regions
Originally from Central America, acerolas are now grown in other (sub)tropical countries and regions, including Brazil, the West Indies, Mexico, Peru and the Caribbean islands.
Description
The acerola is the stone fruit of the acerola bush, an evergreen plant that grows to a height of two to three metres. Although the acerola is also known as the Barbados Cherry or West Indian Cherry, it is not related to the common cherry.
Fruit
The large, shiny oval fruits, which range in colour from yellowish-orange to red and measure between one and three centimetres in diameter, bear a certain resemblance to the common cherry. Because the pulp of the acerola is very soft, the fruits are processed immediately after harvesting to produce puree, juice, marmalade or acerola powder.
Taste
The fruit of the acerola bush is extremely sour and has a slightly “apple-like” aroma.