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What is Cupuacu?

Rebecca Partington
Rebecca Partington

The cupuacu is a type of fruit tree which grows wild in the the Amazon rainforest. It is also grown for fruit production in some other areas with similar climates. In the wild, cupuacus generally reach 49 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m) in height, but cupuacu trees used for crop production are typically less than 26 feet (8 m) tall. They require warm year-round temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rainfall to grow well, and are pollinated by ants and aphids, making these insect species vital to reproduction.

The cupuacu tree has large leaves that are pinkish green when the tree is young but lose their pink tint when the tree reaches maturity. The fruit is oblong, brown, and fuzzy, and is usually about 8 inches (20 cm) long and weighs between 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kg). The fruit, especially its interior, is very fragrant with a banana-like scent.

Woman holding a book
Woman holding a book

When the cupuacu's fruit is ripe, it drops to the ground and can then be gathered for the harvest. The exocarp, which is the outside of the fruit, is thick and sour-tasting, while the pulp inside has a sweet and slightly tangy melon-like taste and contains 25 to 50 seed pods. The exocarp is very tough and must be broken open on a hard surface or sawed open.

The cupuacu is a major food source for both the indigenous peoples and the animals of the rainforest. Because it tastes sweet, the fruit can be used to make juice, jam, as a flavor for ice cream, or it can be an ingredient in other dessert dishes. Since the cupuacu is closely related to the cocoa tree, its seeds can be used to create a chocolate substitute called cupulate. Cupulate is a relatively new discovery and its potential for commercial use is still being investigated. However, it has gained some popularity in Asia.

The cultivation of cupuacu as a cash crop is being encouraged because the pulp has a high market value and the demand for it, especially in Asia, often exceeds supply. In addition, the potential of cupulate is also encouraging for potential farmers. The cupuacu could be grown in countries with warm, moist climates such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico, providing much-needed assistance to the predominantly poor farmers living in those countries.

Discussion Comments

ILoveCupuacu

I love using cupuacu in my morning smoothies. Cupuacu Benefits has great recipes if you're interested.

anon189586

Most of the sites about cupuacu are all the same. I recommend looking up cupuacu benefits for the most relevant heath new related to cupuacu.

anon139783

The first time i had it, i thought it was like a coconut juice, then i tasted it. Horrible, but i drank all of it and am looking forward to some more in three weeks. this is part of the adventure of travels.

anon136172

the cupuaçu's chocolate is so great. very delicious, like the juice.

jeffconner

Ahh, you're leaving out why it's lately started to become popular outside of Brazil - because it's got more antioxidants than any fruit grown in all of North America!

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