Known to natives as food of the gods, Cupuaçu (pronounced ku-pu-ah-SU) may not be as well known in the U.S. as Açaí, but we believe its moment in the spotlight is coming up fast. The fruit is not only uniquely delicious but it also provides amazing health and skin benefits.
Many have already seen the potential of Cupuaçu: Years ago, a Japanese company tried to trademark the name of the tree and fruit so they could sell Cupuaçu as a chocolate-coffee drink throughout the world. But Brazilians weren’t exactly excited for one of their much-loved fruits to be trademarked by another country; so to honor its place in Brazilian culture—and to keep it from being trademarked—Brazil declared Cupuaçu its national fruit.
Cupuaçu trees grow really well in the northern area of the country, and native people harvest the fruit during the tropical rainy season. Cupuaçu is even easier to harvest than most Brazilian fruits due to its sheer size: When it’s ripe, the fruit falls from the tree and locals simply pick it up off the ground. Since Cupuaçu grows naturally and is harvested without any disruption to the trees, it is considered one of the most sustainable fruits in Brazil.
For centuries, Cupuaçu has been a main food source for many native groups. The fruits are about the size of melons, and their pulp is creamy white and delicious. The pulp smells incredible—like a blend of chocolate and pineapple—and you can find it added to juices, ice cream and sweets in markets across the country.
Cupuaçu not only tastes delicious; it’s also incredibly good for you. The fruit contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and is also considered 'the king of superfruits' due to its high antioxidant concentration. It is also high in plyphenols, which are micronutrients that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Cupuaçu is said to boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, provide energy—and even increase libido!
Besides using the pulp as a nutritious and delicious source of food, locals also consider Cupuaçu seeds to be a type of cure-all. Native people have been known to chew the seeds to ease abdominal pain, and pregnant women use them to ensure a healthy baby. The seeds are also said to help newlyweds conceive—so maybe there is something to the whole libido rumor!
Cupuaçu is from the Cocoa family and therefore a cousin to Chocolate and Cocoa butter, and like Cocoa its oil is incredibly rich and moisturizing. In northern Brazil, locals cold-press Cupuaçu seeds to harvest their oil, which is then used to create a soft, thick butter. At Teadora we love Cupuaçu because the amount of moisture it provides in skincare formulas is unmatched. In fact, one study found that it provided more than 200 percent more moisture than ingredients like Lanolin and Shea butters. Other studies have shown that Cupuaçu butter can keep skin moisturized for up to eight hours after application, and help increase your skin’s moisture overall.
As one of nature’s most powerful moisturizers, Cupuaçu is an ideal fit for skincare products. You won’t believe how well it helps to rejuvenate cells, improve elasticity, and smooth and soften your skin, making it look refreshed and youthful. Cupuaçu butter can be used in creams and lotions, lipsticks, deodorants, sunscreens, pomades and baby products. It’s also fantastic for hair care products, giving your locks extra moisture and shine. It’s also great for beard butters!
Although Cupuaçu hasn’t yet become as mainstream Açaí, we know that it’s only a matter of time before this incredibly beneficial and sustainable fruit is making headlines around the world. For now, it’s one of our little “best kept secrets” and we’re already use it as a key ingredient in lip, body and hair products. Try it for yourself today! Click here to shop Teadora Cupuaçu infused products.
*For those of you with sensitive skin, it is important to note that Teadora uses NO synthetic fragrances. Teadora also uses only organic Cupuaçu Butter and Extracts sustainably harvested under the strictest guidelines to ensure the highest quality, conservation progress, and local community economic development.
Comments (3)
Racquel on September 25, 2018
You are a Brazilian American. Everyone here came from somewhere else or is a descendant of someone who came from somewhere else. The only native Americans are the Native Americans…actually if you think about it, Indians from Canada to South America are the true natives of this entire strip of land because anyone else came from across the sea. So you are entitled to the name. Thank you for providing healthy alternatives from the mainstream, along with the information you so generously add(In such a pleasant manner too). I haven’t tried your products as yet because I just now happened upon your site searching for info on the ingredients in one of my new purchases. I like what I saw. You’ll be on my products to try list.
I also like your diplomatic response to a very rude comment.
Thanks again for your time and effort.
Valeria on September 17, 2017
Dear TexasRN, thanks for providing feedback, My question to you as a woman entrepreneur and small business owner is: if not by trademarking, how do you protect the intellectual property of the very products you spent your entire life savings creating? In my past career I worked for Apple, they trademarked that name and other companies worldwide large and small have done the same. As you know I was born in Brazil and that is my heritage, our products are developed with respect to the many formulations that I learned from my elders and therefore pay homage to Braziian Beauty secrets hence the selection of the names. As much as I love Brazil, the US has been my home for the last 30 years. I am proud to have chosen it as such, this is the country where my children were born in and I love it with all my heart. It is my country. I noticed your nickname is TexasRN, that was in fact, my first home in the US, it is the state where I became an adult and where my eldest child was born. I consider myself a Texan at heart. Valeria Cole (Founder of Teadora)
TexasRN on June 23, 2017
BUT you trademarked “Brazilian Glow” as if you’re the only one entitled to the name. How is a Brazilian glow your intellectual property? Get over yourself or go back to your country!
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