Acerola (Malpighia glabra), also known as Barbados Cherry or West Indian Cherry, is a tropical fruit tree of the Malpighiaceae family grown for its content of vitamin C and other nutrients. It is called an "acerola cherry", but is unrelated to the true cherry, Prunus cerasus.
Although resembling the cherry, it is internally sectioned in the manner of an orange.
The acerola tree has thorns, and it flowers in season. Some botanists suggest that, if sufficiently cared for, its blossoming could compete with the Japanese cherry tree.
In the 1950's, a manufacturer of baby food decided that apple juice was milder for infants than orange juice. The company said that a drop of acerola juice in an 8 oz. can of apple juice provided the amount of vitamin C of an equal amount of orange juice.
In Puerto Rico, the acerola is so prized that custom officials exercise considerable precaution to prevent exporting of acerola cuttings.
The Barbadoscherry, a member of the Malpighiaceae, is an interesting example of a fruit that rose, like Cinderella, from relative obscurity about 40 years ago.
The Barbadoscherry is a large, bushy shrub or small tree attaining up to 20 ft (6 m) in height and an equal breadth; with more or less erect or spreading and drooping, minutely hairy branches, and a short trunk to 4 in (10 cm) in diameter.
At room temperature–85º F (29.44º C) in Puerto Rico–canned Barbadoscherries and also the juice lose color and fresh flavor and 53% to 80% of their ascorbic acid content in one month, and metal cans swell because of the development of CO Refrigeration at 44.6º F (7º C) considerably reduces such deterioration.
Barbados is one of the Lesser Antilles and it lies to the east of the main chain of islands, with the nations of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines being its closest neighbours.
Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates in the world and is currently according to the UN's UNDP, the #1 developing country in the world.
In Barbados the Queen is styled "By the Grace of God, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth." The present government is proposing that Barbados become a republic within the Commonwealth, with a ceremonial president replacing the Queen.
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