This spotlight is a berry known as Camu Camu. This berry grows in the Amazonian rainforest in Columbia, Brazil, Venezuela & Peru and holds the highest concentrate of vitamin C in any plant... period (rosehips are close behind and will get a mention in a future weekly spotlight). Fresh camu berries hold around 2100-2200 milligrams of vitamin C per 100grams. To give you some perspective, oranges contain around 52mg vitamin C per 100g.

As well as vitamin C, this plant is also high in antioxidants and amino acids. It contains protein, iron, niacin, phosphorous, Lutein, beta-carotene, manganese, potassium & calcium.

In the US, camu camu is usually sold in powder form. It has a sour taste but you only need a small amount of this powder to get a big kick of vitamin C, so the taste does not overpower. I usually add 1 teaspoon of powder to my smoothies once to twice/week. I have also used it in my "cold/flu shot" where I juice lemon, ginger and orange and mix in camu powder, manuka honey and cayenne pepper. It tastes awful but is a powerhouse drink for combating the cold!

Finally, due to the high vitamin C levels, be careful to not exceed the serving directions on the packet as you don't want to over do it!