History
West Indian cherry (Malpighia emarginata) is native to Yucatan in Mexico and would eventually spread to Latin America. It was brought into the Antilles archipelago by the Caribbean Indians. It owes its name acerola to the Spanish conquistadors.
They would have called it that way when they arrived in the Lesser Antilles about the present azarole Spain. In Martinique, it is nicknamed cerise pays or cerise Acerola, it is called outside the island Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry. Also, present in the Amazonian forest, the Indians used it against diarrhea, angina and liver disorders.
Varieties
The varieties are numerous, especially in Brazil. However, the number of different varieties is unknown.
West Indian cherry is a shrub evergreen of the family of Malpighiaceae, West Indian cherry grows wild in the tropics of the Caribbean, South America, including Peru and the Amazon forests of Brazil and Venezuela.
The leaves are opposite, oval or elliptical, with a sharp point at the end.
The bright red flowers open three times a year. They are grouped in auxiliary inflorescences.
The West Indian cherry has a tangy taste. The fruits ripen soon after flowering. Sensitive to heat, their conservation requires great care.
There is also a variety Malpighia martinicensis Jacq which grows in the dry forests of the littoral. It is distinguished by its young leaves with stiff hairs and its smaller cherry.
Other names are:
Malpighia emarginata:
- Cerise pays, cerise Acérola (Martinique), cerise des Antilles, cerise de Barbade (other French French-spoken countries),
- Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry (English),
- Acerola, cereza (Spanish),
- Siriz (Creole).
Malpighia martinicensis Jacq.:
- Dog cherry (English),
- Siriz gwo kot (Creole)
Health benefits
West Indian cherry is a great source of vitamin C. It has 20 to 30 times more vitamin C than oranges. This is one of the fruits richest in vitamin C. In medicine, acerola cherry is used in cases of functional asthenia and facilitates weight regain after weight loss. In general, it is prescribed during cooling and against fatigue. Acerola is found in capsules, lozenges, powders or drinkable solutions for Vitamin C drugs.
Uses
In Martinique, we use West Indian cherry in juices and cocktails, and e cream but the fruit is often eaten raw.
