Cupuaçu

What Is Cupuaçu?

Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is a fruit native to the Amazon basin, a close relative of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). It has a brown-velvety, thick and hard shell.

Inside the shell is a white-cream, creamy and sweet-tart flesh surrounding the seeds; its smell is distinctive, somewhere between chocolate and tropical fruit. The flesh is eaten fresh or processed into a drink; from its seeds, products resembling chocolate such as “cupulate” are made.

Nutritional Values of Cupuaçu

Cupuaçu flesh provides around 70 kcal of energy per 100 grams, moderate in calories; it contains fiber, vitamin C and plant compounds. Values are approximate, based on a similar profile.

What Are the Benefits of Cupuaçu?

With its fiber, vitamin C and plant compound content, cupuaçu can be considered part of a balanced, fruit-rich diet.

This information is general; cupuaçu is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How Is Cupuaçu Chosen?

Good cupuaçu has a whole shell, smells aromatic-sweet, and is heavy for its size. Cracked, rotten-smelling or overly light (dried-out inside) specimens should not be preferred. Its flesh is also often sold frozen as pulp.

• Shell should be whole, fruit should be heavy
• Should smell aromatic-sweet
• Cracked or rotten-smelling specimens should not be bought

How Is Cupuaçu Stored?

Since cupuaçu flesh spoils quickly, it should be consumed fresh or stored frozen as pulp (purée); it is mostly distributed worldwide as frozen pulp. An opened fruit is kept in the refrigerator for a short time.

Using Cupuaçu in the Kitchen

Cupuaçu flesh is used in juice, smoothies, ice cream, sorbet, jam and desserts; its seeds are used in chocolate-like products. Its creamy flesh gives desserts a natural body and distinctive aroma.

Is Cupuaçu Like Chocolate?

The fruit's flesh is not chocolate; but since it is a relative of cocoa, its seeds can be processed into chocolate-like products. The fruit itself is sweet-tart and aromatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does cupuaçu taste like?

It has a distinctive sweet-tart, creamy taste somewhere between chocolate and tropical fruit; its smell is strong and aromatic.

Are cupuaçu and cocoa the same?

They are from the same plant genus but are different species; cocoa is the source of chocolate, while cupuaçu is a related species valued for both its fruit and its seeds.

How is cupuaçu found?

The fresh fruit is found more in the regions where it grows; elsewhere in the world it is mostly sold as frozen pulp (purée).