An Amazonian superfruit, the camu camu is bursting with antioxidant properties and full of vitamin C – offering 60 times more of the good stuff than a single orange provides. Found on a bushy tree that grows in flooded black water rivers of the amazon rainforest in Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, this plump little fruit grows to about the same size as a lemon, with purple-red skin and a yellow pulp. The fruit and leaves of the camu camu tree are traditionally used for medicinal purposes by ancient cultures, helping promote healthy gums, eyes and skin. The fruit’s anti-fungal and anti-viral properties are perfect for curing the common cold and ailments like cold sores and shingles, while also strengthening the immune system and nervous system. Camu camu also delivers a dose of potassium – which is good for the heart and kidneys – while amino acids assist with muscle growth and recovery, and improve digestion, while also detoxifying the liver.

You probably won’t come across a fresh camu camu fruit in your local grocer – which is probably for the best considering the fruit would have to conquer massive food miles to reach our shelves anyway – but you can find it locally in powder form. Australian brand Loving Earth produces a raw organic camu camu powder from Peru, which has been dehydrated below 40˚C to retain nutrients before being milled into a powder. You can even find out about the farmer who picks the fruits here.

Stir a teaspoon of the powder into water for a quick superfood hit or make this lemonade for something sweeter. Add it to your morning cold-pressed juice or smoothie, or try camu camu powder in this coconut quinoa porridge. You can also let the superfood work its magic from the outside in by whipping together this face mask to brighten and tighten your skin in winter.