Acerola cherry is juicy, often as much sour as sweet in flavor and very high in vitamin C and other nutrients. It is incredible and unbelievable that one tiny cherry has a higher vitamin C content than an orange. Specifically, the vitamin C content is 65 times greater than an orange, which means one cherry has a vitamin C content that is equal to the minimum daily recommended requirements. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C in fruit, second only to camu-camu.
The acerola cherry also contains approximately double the magnesium, potassium and vitamin B5, as an orange. They are known to have high levels of vitamin A, often equal to that of raw carrots. In addition to vitamins A, B and C, acerola cherries also contain the key minerals calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
As well as these powerful essential vitamins and minerals, acerola cherries also contain other health promoting plant compounds such as flavonoids and anthocyanins that are part of a bigger category of health compounds called polyphenols. Acerola even boasts a novel flavonoid so far only discovered in only these cherries(3), though that does not rule out the possibility that this compound could also be present but undiscovered in other fruits.