TUCZON, AZ – Spawned from the inspirations of the company founder’s master thesis, to a now emerging stature as a superfood, the pichuberry is promising to make big waves in the U.S..
As Manuel Villacorta, Chief of Public Relations and National Spokesperson for Pichuberry®, recently told me, the berry which matches the company's name can fulfill a diverse selection of roles for the produce consumer - but only if you are identifying the correct berry.
“When our CEO and Founder, Michael Popescu, first approached me on Twitter he asked if I knew about the pichuberry. I said no, because it has a different name in South America,” Manuel laughs.
As many a berry enthusiast could verify, the pichuberry is commonly, and incorrectly, confused with the gooseberry. However, Manuel denotes, the berry the company now hails as “the lost Incan treasure” is not even close to the gooseberry.
“They look similar, but they belong to a completely different species and family, botanically,” Manuel explains. “In Peru, the pichuberry is known as aguaymanto. But because it’s so hard to pronounce, and known as so many things, we wanted to lighten up where the berry originates. So, Machu Picchu, pichuberry. That’s where the name comes from, we wanted to keep the history about Peru with the berry.”
Manuel, a nutritional expert and registered dietitian, says that the reason why he lept into his role at Pichuberry® all came down to the expansive health benefits associated with the fruit. “They are phenomenal,” he tells me. “People need to hear more about it.”
The pichuberry has a sweet yet tangy taste, that can compliment a wide variety of savory or sweet dishes. The flesh is firm, but filled with juices, all encapsulated with a waxy skin.
The versatile taste can be enjoyed alone or on a range of dishes, like dressings, waffles, yogurt, and even pizza. And the nutritional benefits? Those are what qualifies the fruit as a superfood, as listed below from a three quarter cup of berries:
- 39 percent of Vitamin D
- 37 percent of Vitamin A
- 18 percent Vitamin C
- 1.7 grams of protein
- Low glycemic index of 25
- Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that have been shown to suppress carcinogens
So just where is the company looking to head now after its four years in business? Straight into a wider retail market. Manuel divulges that Pichuberry® is working its way throughout the nation, and building its market state-by-state. Pichuberries under the Pichuberry® name currently reside in over ten states, with the list constantly growing.
“We don’t want to replace any other berry, we trying not to be an exclusive thing that not everyone can afford. We want to be in every supermarket, right next to the strawberries and blueberries,” finishes Manuel. “There is no silver bullet that will fix everyone’s problems, people need to eat a variety of colors and berries. Our mission is that the pichuberry can be a part of the well-rounded diet.”
With that kind of mentality, and the passion evident within the company, I forsee both pichuberries and Pichuberry® making a big headway into the fresh fruit market.
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