Four incredible exotic fruits you can find in Peru

If there is one thing that characterizes Peru, it is its megadiversity, a distinction that has positioned it in the top 10 of the most diverse countries on earth, also known as "megadiverse countries". It has earned this title thanks to its incredible variety of ecosystems, species, genetic resources and indigenous cultures with outstanding knowledge.

In addition, Peru has an extremely high ecological diversity of climates, ecological areas and production areas, and productive ecosystems. In terms of forest area, it is the second country in Latin America and the fourth in the world, and is home to 13% of the Amazon rainforest. As if that were not enough, it should be noted that 84 of the 117 life zones recognized in the world are located in Peru.

Thanks to this, Peru is one of the world's food pantries, especially for fruits, vegetables and fish, a true land and sea paradise that provides some of the most complete food on the planet. And to illustrate this, this list brings together some of the most complete exotic fruits you can find in this country where the bountiful Pacific Ocean, fertile mountain ranges and exuberant Amazon rainforest converge.

Lucuma: the delicious superfood that can only be found in Peru

Legend has it that an Andean goddess refused love, until a mythological being, disguised as a beggar, seduced her with a lucuma fruit, which in Inca mythology represented fertility. In the northern valleys, lucuma seeds appear on clay pots, pottery tools and the tombs of the nobility.

Here are some of its main health benefits:

- It is a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

- It contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that delays aging.

- It decreases the chance of heart attacks.

- It prevents anemia and strengthens the immune system.

Camu Camu: the red jewel of the Amazon

This small reddish oval fruit, with a smooth skin and acidic center, is the result of a magical spell from one of the planet’s most important natural pantries that brings together fabulous recipes for health and gastronomy. Part of the myrtal family, it is high in vitamin C, containing even more than food with high concentrations of ascorbic acid, such as oranges or lemons.

Here are some of its main health benefits:

- It strengthens the immune system, skin and eyes.

It provides a large amount of vitamin C, 16 times more than orange juice and 60 times more than lemon juice.

- This fruit promotes collagen growth, for proper formation of bones, teeth, skin, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and even blood vessels.

- It is also an anti-oxidant, preventing possible negative effects.

- Detoxification of the liver, helping to eliminate toxins and fat that accumulate in that organ.

Aguaymanto: gold turned into fruit

The aguaymanto is a bush that has been cultivated since the Pre-Colombian period. Today, it is considered one of the five healthiest foods produced in Peru. A powerful antioxidant, high in vitamins A, B and C, and calcium, iron, and phosphorus, it is perfect for strengthening the immune system. It was grown in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and was one of the most venerated foods in the gardens of the nobility.

Here are some of its main health benefits:

- It provides the human body with a high vitamin C content.

- It contains antioxidants, perfect for delaying aging and healing wounds.

- It improves the immune system and increases the production of red blood cells.

- It corrects cardiovascular function and acts as a natural tranquilizer.

Cherimoya: the white delicacy of the Peruvian coast

When the Spaniards first tasted this fruit, they called it white delicacy because of its intense sweetness, similar to that of sugar cane. Rough on the outside but soft on the inside, cherimoya looks like a tropical fruit, like banana or pineapple, but this product couldn’t be further from the Caribbean. It grows around 5,000 feet above sea level, on the slopes of the Andes mountain range.

Here are some of its main health benefits:

-It is a good source of energy due to its high carbohydrate content.

- It is high in fiber, vitamin B and potassium.

- It is a good source of Vitamin C, a compound that helps in the synthesis of collagen, bones and teeth.

- It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting our cells from oxidation.