Achachas are a rich source of essential nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, but they’re also one of the highest fruit sources of folate. Achachas are also lighter in sugar than many other fruits while still having a subtle sweet taste.

Achacha is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows about 6–10 m with pyramidal shaped canopy and stem of 40 cm diameter with a yellowish sap. The plant is found growing in sheltered aspects of woodland, often on limestone, at elevations of 150 – 900 meters and wet forests near the coast of Panama.

Achacha is a fruit rich in antioxidants, thus helping to counteract the damaging action of free radicals, thus slowing down cellular aging: extending the life of cells also means making them work better. The antioxidant action also limits the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, thus bringing benefits also to the coronary arteries, and therefore to the heart.

Even the arginine contained in its skin, gives benefits to the cardiovascular system. Moreover, this tropical fruit strengthens the immune system thanks to the presence of vitamin C contained in significant quantities. In addition, the folic acid contained in the achacha promotes the formation of red blood cells, helping to fight anemia, and it is useful for pregnant women as it decreases the risk of malformations of the fetus.

The plant does best in moist, well drained, alluvial soils rich in organic matter. It is intolerant of saline soils and is moderately drought tolerant. Leaves are opposite, large, glossy dark-green, coriaceous, simple, and elliptic to lanceolate 15–28 cm long and 4–8 cm wide, with entire margin and acute to acuminate apex. Juvenile leaves are pinkish- bronze, turning yellowish-green then to dark green.