100% RAW CAMU-CAMU WILD TONIC
In Peru we discovered Camu-camu, a delicious berry with one of the highest natural levels of vitamin C. What began as an ingredient for Mato became a project of its own based on the distinct flavor, nutrition, and opportunities for sustainable wild-harvested sourcing. The berries are harvested during the rainy season, as they drop into nearby water.
We began working with the Yale Forestry School, trying to learn as much about wild-harvesting as possible. There Meredith Martin, studying under Dr. Charles “Chuck” Peters, an expert in ecology and management of non-timber forestry products, proved an invaluable resource. We decided to co-sponsor Meredith’s thesis project in Peru and determine whether wild-harvesting could be truly sustainable.
Based on her results, we determined that the negative impact of wild-harvesting camu-camu outweighed the positive. We therefore chose not to launch in spite of the commercial opportunity.