Pitanga ice cream or sorbet
Pitanga ice cream or sorbet is a frozen dessert made from the vibrant, tangy-sweet fruit of the Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), native to tropical Americas. The fruit is blended into a smooth base, often with sugar and water or cream, and churned into a refreshing treat. It is particularly popular in Brazil and other parts of South America where the fruit grows abundantly.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dessert is primarily a source of quick energy from carbohydrates, with minimal fat and protein. It provides a good dose of vitamin C and antioxidants from the pitanga fruit, with a typical serving containing around 150-200 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 1.5 g |
| Carbs | 42 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Fiber | 3.5 g |
| Sugar | 36 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 IU |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 18 mg |
| Phosphorus | 25 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.05 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The Surinam cherry fruit is known for its unique, complex flavor profile—often described as a mix of sweet, tart, and slightly resinous—and its deep red to purple color, which gives the sorbet its striking hue. Nutritionally, the fruit is rich in bioactive compounds studied for their potential anti-inflammatory properties.
