Sweet Acerola Cherry

Barbados cherries, botanically a part of the Mapighia genus, are tropical to subtropical fruits belonging to the Malpighiaceae family. The fruits grow individually or in groupings of 2 to 3 fruits and are found on evergreen shrubs to small trees reaching 3 to 4 meters in height. Barbados cherries are native to the Americas, and two species are associated with the fruits. Malpighia emarginata is the main species, producing large harvests, and this species was once labeled as Malpighia punicifolia. The second species, Malpighia glabra, is primarily a wild or ornamental species producing small fruit quantities. Barbados cherries are a type of drupe typically harvested approximately 22 to 25 days after flowering. Each tree can develop 62 to 82 pounds of fruit in one season, depending on the climate and region the fruits are grown in, and the fruits are hand-harvested to protect their delicate, easily bruised skin. Barbados cherries are also known as Acerola, West Indian cherry, Antilles cherry, Semeruco, Wild Crepe Myrtle, Garden Cherry, Cerisier in French, Cerejeira in Portuguese, and Acerola, Semeruco, and Cereza in Spanish. The species is mainly planted in home gardens, favored as a fast-growing, low-maintenance, and hardy plant, and is suitable for container or ground growing. In the modern day, Barbados cherries are typically consumed fresh for their sweet-tart taste or incorporated into an array of sweet and savory heated preparations.