Researchers Explore Adding Camu Camu Powder to Everyday Foods

Camu camu is an Amazonian fruit widely recognized for its naturally high vitamin C content and its rich profile of antioxidant compounds.¹ Outside its native region, camu camu is most commonly available as a powder. For this reason, researchers are increasingly interested in understanding how camu camu powder performs as a functional ingredient when incorporated into everyday foods.

The Study

Researchers prepared fresh cheese samples containing camu camu powder at three inclusion levels: 1%, 1.5%, and 2%. All samples were stored under refrigeration for 16 days and evaluated at multiple time points. Antioxidant capacity was measured using a standard laboratory method, while a trained sensory panel assessed appearance, taste, odor, and consistency.

Instead of focusing on health effects, the study aimed to understand how camu camu powder behaves when added to real food over time.

The Results

All cheeses containing camu camu powder showed higher antioxidant capacity compared to the control sample without camu camu. The 2% formulation produced the highest antioxidant readings, while the 1.5% formulation achieved the highest overall sensory acceptance. The 1% formulation demonstrated the best color stability throughout storage.

The addition of camu camu powder resulted in a slight increase in acidity, which was expected given the fruit's natural organic acids. Importantly, this change did not compromise texture or moisture retention. The cheeses maintained their structure and consistency over time and, in some cases, showed slightly improved stability compared to the control.

What Does this Mean?

This 2025 food science study demonstrated that incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients, such as camu camu powder, is most effective when overall food quality is preserved. In addition to increasing antioxidant levels, camu camu powder integrated well into the cheese, supporting texture, structure, and storage stability while contributing natural color.

The findings suggest that camu camu powder can enhance other everyday foods, such as yogurt, kefir, or smoothies, in a balanced and practical way while supporting both nutritional quality and overall food characteristics.

Other plant-based powders with potential as functional ingredients in everyday foods include sacha inchi, acai, and aguaje.