Have you met the newest superfood in town, camu camu? Learn all about this vitamin C packed berry + 2 must-try recipes to help you get more camu camu in your life.

Note: this blog post is sponsored by iHerb though all thoughts and opinions are of course my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Body Unburdened and make the work I do possible!

Move on over cacao and açaí. There’s a new exotic superfood on the block: camu camu.

This sour little cherry-like berry grows on shrubs in the Amazon rainforest, where it’s been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

What sets camu camu apart from all of the other so-called “superfoods”?

Camu camu is absolutely loaded with vitamin C.

And I do mean LOADED.

In fact, just one little camu camu berry contains 60 times the amount of vitamin C found in an orange! Yes, 60 times.

And a single teaspoon of the dried, powdered berry can contain over 1000% the RDA of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with a ton of well-known health benefits.

• Neutralizes free radicals
• Boosts the immune system
• Reduces inflammation
• Protects the skin from UV damage
• Reduces blood pressure
• Protects the liver
• Boosts mood
• Improves gum health
• Improves iron absorption
• Speeds the healing of wounds

I prefer to get my vitamins in whole-food form, which is why I’m especially excited about camu camu as source of extra vitamin C!

Vitamins from whole food sources are typically more bioavailable and come pre-packaged with all of the necessary co-factors (i.e. the other vitamins and minerals the body needs in order to use it)… because Mother Nature is one smart cookie!

Plus, synthetic supplemental vitamin C is typically made from GMO corn.

Adding camu camu powder to your diet is a simple way to up your vitamin C and antioxidant intake.

You’re not likely to find raw, whole camu camu berries in your local super market, and if you do, you may not want to eat them — from what I hear, they’re VERY sour!

But dried camu camu powder provides the same antioxidant benefits. Plus, it can easily be added to smoothies, juices, frozen treats, or other raw recipes like chia pudding.

Below are my 2 favorite recipes using camu camu powder! The other ingredients perfectly balance out camu camu’s tartness.

Creamy Vitamin C Tropical Smoothie with Camu Camu

This smoothie is basically St. Barths in a glass – its bursting with tropical flavor and oh so creamy! The tropical fruits perfectly balance camu camu’s tartness, while the fiber from the chia seeds and healthy fats from the coconut milk slow glucose absorption and help prevent the blood sugar spike and crash that can accompany these sweeter fruits.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 small banana
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
• 1 orange, juiced
• 4 tbs or 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
• 1 tbs organic chia seeds
• 1 tsp California Gold Nutrition organic camu camu powder
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend on high for 30-60 seconds.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Strawberry Lemonade Vitamin C Popsicles with Camu Camu

Strawberries and lemons are already a vitamin C packed duo, so add some camu camu and WOAH. One of these popsicles is like a tasty, whole foods vitamin C supplement.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint strawberries, stemmed
• The juice from 1 large organic lemon
• The zest from 1 large organic lemon*
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbs California Gold Nutrition organic camu camu powder
• 1/4 tsp organic powdered stevia

*Since you’re using the skin, I suggest buying organic!

NOTE: You’ll of course also need popsicle molds!

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender.
• Blend on high for 30-60 seconds.
• Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds.
• Allow to set in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
• Remove from the molds and enjoy!

Grab your camu camu powder and save some money with iHerb!

iHerb has become one of my favorite online stores for natural products, healthy foods, and even supplements. They’re my go-to for superfoods like camu camu and chia seeds, plus pantry staples like stevia powder and matcha.

Not only does iHerb have a huge selection of products (over 30,000!) they also have seriously amazing prices – most of the products are much cheaper than you find at your local grocery or health food store. iHerb’s also a Google Trusted store (which means you get free protection on your order), ships to 160 countries, and offers customer service in 10 different languages.

And on top of iHerb’s already great prices, iHerb is offering an additional discount to all Body Unburdened readers and an additional $5 off a $40+ order for all new customers when you shop here through this link!