How each one is made
Whole-fruit camu camu powder
Ripe fruit is selected, washed and disinfected, cut, dried at controlled temperature, milled and sieved to 60 mesh, then packed. The powder is 100 % fruit: no preservatives, flavourings or artificial colours. Because the whole fruit is used, the powder keeps the fibre of the fruit and has a light-beige colour and an acidic, tart taste.
Spray-dried camu camu powder
The pulp is extracted from ripe fruit, filtered, homogenised and spray-dried under controlled temperature. The result is a fine, free-flowing, light-pink powder with at least 95 % passing through a 60-mesh screen and a bulk density of 0.50–0.60 g/mL. Spray-drying concentrates the pulp solids, which is why its vitamin C specification is higher.
Side by side
| Parameter | Whole-fruit powder | Spray-dried powder |
|---|---|---|
| Part used | Whole fruit | Fruit pulp |
| Vitamin C (specification) | 3 – 7 % | ≥ 8 % (≥ 8,000 mg/100 g) |
| Appearance | Homogeneous powder, light beige | Homogeneous, free-flowing powder, light pink |
| Moisture | < 8 % | < 6 % |
| Particle size | 60 mesh | ≥ 95 % through 60 mesh |
| Bulk density | — | 0.50 – 0.60 g/mL |
| Behaviour in water | Disperses; fruit fibre remains in suspension | Dissolves readily; suited to clear or lightly coloured drinks |
| Shelf life | 24 months | 36 months |
| Packaging | Bags of 150 g (100 per box) or 5 kg (4 per box) | Food-grade polyethylene bags of 5 kg, 4 per master carton |
| Monthly production capacity | 300,000 bags | 40 t |
| Organic certification (data sheet) | USDA-NOP, EU | USDA-NOP, EU |
| Other documentation | Halal, HACCP, not irradiated | HACCP, not irradiated; pesticides to EU Reg. 396/2005 |
Values are the specification limits in the technical data sheets of Amazon Andes (2026 edition). The certificate of analysis of each lot states the measured values.
Which one for which use
- Capsules, tablets and sachets: both work. The spray-dried powder delivers more vitamin C per gram, so a given target per serving needs less material. The whole-fruit powder is the choice when the label should read "whole fruit".
- Ready-to-drink beverages and instant drink mixes: spray-dried, for solubility and a cleaner appearance.
- Smoothie mixes, bars, baked goods and snacks: whole-fruit powder; the fibre and the tart note integrate well, and the slightly coarser particle is not an issue.
- Gummies and confectionery: spray-dried for colour and dispersion; the acidity of either format must be balanced in the recipe.
- Cosmetic formulations (masks, powders): spray-dried, for particle size and consistency between lots.
Three things buyers often get wrong
- Comparing vitamin C figures from different sources. A "whole fruit" figure and a "pulp extract" figure describe different materials. Compare specification to specification, and lot to lot.
- Assuming colour tells you the quality. Beige is normal for whole-fruit powder (the skin and seed fraction lighten it); pink is normal for spray-dried pulp. Neither colour is a defect.
- Ignoring acidity in the recipe. Camu camu is tart. In beverages and gummies the pH and the sweetness need adjusting; ask for a sample of both formats and run a bench trial before fixing the dosage.
This page describes the botanical origin, processing and technical specifications of camu camu as a food ingredient. Values are those of the product's technical data sheet; the certificate of analysis of each lot is the binding document. Nothing on this page is a health claim, and the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
