Cupuacu fruits (Theobroma grandiflorum S.) have a creamy, uniquely fragrant pulp with a tropical flavor described as a cross between banana, passionfruit, pineapple, lime and cacao. The fruits are oblong, about 8 inches long, and have a hard, brown outer layer. Cupuacu is the national fruit of Brazil, and the 15-65 ft tall evergreen trees grow wild and are cultivated in the Amazon basin region. Being a relative of cacao, cupuacu can be used as a healthy and delicious alternative to products containing chocolate, and is often used in sweets, juices and desserts.

Cupuacu is rich in essential fatty acids and loaded with many different polyphenols, including potent polyphenols called theograndins. The fruit also contains amino acids, vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, provitamin A, calcium and selenium.*