📊 Full nutrition facts — per 100g
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily value | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 41 kcal | 2% | |
| Vitamin C | 3150mg | 3500% | |
| Dietary fibre | 5.3g | 19% | |
| Protein | 1.9g | 4% | |
| Carbohydrates | 7.8g | 3% | |
| Ellagic acid | high | — | |
| Gallic acid | high | — | |
| Lutein | present | — | |
| Iron | 1.0mg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 67mg | 5% |
Based on Australian Nutrient Reference Values (NRV). Source: FSANZ Australian Food Composition Database & USDA FoodData Central. Daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
📈 Glycaemic index (GI)
💊 Key vitamins & minerals
✅ Health benefits
Kakadu plum contains 3,150mg of vitamin C per 100g — more than 100× the concentration in oranges (53mg) and the highest of any food ever measured on earth.
The combination of ellagic acid, gallic acid and vitamin C gives Kakadu plum one of the highest ORAC (antioxidant capacity) scores ever measured for any food.
Traditional use for skin infections has been validated by modern research showing Kakadu plum extracts inhibit E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.
Ellagic acid in Kakadu plum has been shown in laboratory studies to inhibit cancer cell growth and promote apoptosis (programmed cell death) in multiple cancer cell lines.
⚠️ Who should limit or avoid this food
The extreme vitamin C content could compound with supplements and cause digestive upset or interact with certain medications. Check with your doctor.
Very high vitamin C is metabolised to oxalate. People with calcium oxalate kidney stone history should use moderation with concentrated products.
Fresh Kakadu plum is intensely sour and astringent — almost inedible raw. Traditionally eaten cooked, dried or processed. Concentrated products can be very potent.
Extremely high vitamin C dramatically enhances iron absorption. People with iron overload conditions should consult their doctor before using Kakadu plum products.
🔬 Possible side effects or risks
Very high vitamin C can cause diarrhoea and stomach cramping in large quantities — the body's way of preventing absorption of excess.
The extreme acidity of fresh or concentrated Kakadu plum products can affect tooth enamel over time.
High vitamin C is partially metabolised to oxalate. Only relevant at large daily supplemental doses, not culinary use.
🛒 How to select fresh kakadu plum
Buy from certified Aboriginal enterprises or established Australian native food brands that source ethically and sustainably from known regions.
Available fresh (rare, seasonal), frozen, dried powder and as extracts. Dried powder should be bright green-yellow, not brown. Brown colour indicates vitamin C oxidation.
Vitamin C is highly sensitive to heat, light and air. Store powder in dark, airtight container in refrigerator or freezer for maximum potency.
🧊 Storage tips & shelf life
Highly perishable. Use quickly or freeze immediately after harvest.
Freezing preserves most vitamin C. Puree before freezing for easy portioning.
Most convenient form. Away from heat and light to preserve vitamin C potency.
📖 About kakadu plum — complete guide
The Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is one of the most extraordinary foods on earth — not because of marketing, but because of genuinely unmatched nutritional data. Its vitamin C content of 3,150mg per 100g represents a biological record that no other food source has come close to matching. For context: the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for Australian adults is just 45mg — one small Kakadu plum contains approximately 70 times a full day's requirement.
Beyond its record-breaking vitamin C, the Kakadu plum contains a complex of polyphenols — including ellagic acid, gallic acid and punicalagins — that together produce an ORAC antioxidant score several times higher than blueberries, the previous standard benchmark. These compounds have attracted significant pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry interest, with Kakadu plum extracts now appearing in premium vitamin C serums globally, often at a significant price premium for their verified natural origin.