Nutrient guide

Foods highest in vitamin c

The foods highest in vitamin C, ranked, well beyond citrus, plus its role in iron absorption.

Original ranking by NutriVerdict

Reviewed by Irene Taranina, Editor · July 2026

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin the body does not store, so it is needed regularly from food. Peppers, many vegetables and a wide range of fruit supply it, and it also helps the body absorb non-heme iron from plant foods.

The daily value used on nutrition labels is 90 mg. The list below ranks the foods on our index by vitamin c per 100 grams, so you can see the strongest sources at a glance and open any food for its full profile.

Top 20 foods by vitamin c per 100 g · open any food for its full nutrient profile

  1. 1Acerola juice, raw1600 mg / 100 g1778% DV
  2. 2Spices, coriander leaf, dried567 mg / 100 g630% DV
  3. 3Litchis, dried183 mg / 100 g203% DV
  4. 4Snacks, candy bits, yogurt covered with vitamin C180 mg / 100 g200% DV
  5. 5Baobab powder173 mg / 100 g192% DV
  6. 6Thyme, fresh160 mg / 100 g178% DV
  7. 7Guava sauce, cooked146 mg / 100 g162% DV
  8. 8Orange peel, raw136 mg / 100 g151% DV
  9. 9Parsley, fresh133 mg / 100 g148% DV
  10. 10Lemon peel, raw129 mg / 100 g143% DV
  11. 11Spices, parsley, dried125 mg / 100 g139% DV
  12. 12Tomato powder117 mg / 100 g130% DV
  13. 13Beverages, citrus fruit juice drink, frozen concentrate95 mg / 100 g106% DV
  14. 14Kale, raw93 mg / 100 g104% DV
  15. 15Broccoli, raw89 mg / 100 g99% DV
  16. 16Dill weed, fresh85 mg / 100 g94% DV
  17. 17Pimento, canned85 mg / 100 g94% DV
  18. 18Spices, saffron81 mg / 100 g90% DV
  19. 19Spices, pepper, red or cayenne76 mg / 100 g85% DV
  20. 20Sauce, ready-to-serve, pepper or hot75 mg / 100 g83% DV

Want the density-first view instead? See our goal rankings or browse foods by category. You can also add these foods to a plate in the food calculator to see how they combine.

Vitamin C guides

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Vitamin C foods that are not oranges

The orange is fine, but tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and a few overlooked pantry items deliver far more vitamin C per calorie, and the numbers make the case.

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Vitamin C-friendly recipes

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Side

Vitamin C Citrus Slaw

A raw, no-cook slaw built on massaged kale and collards, then stacked with strawberries, lime, and grated orange peel for a real vitamin C hit.

30 min · 4 servingsSnack

Berry spinach smoothie

Plant iron and vitamin C in one glass, blended so the greens vanish and the absorption boost does the work.

20 min · 1 servingsBreakfast

Kale and Orange Green Smoothie with Flax

A bright blend of kale, orange juice, banana, and strawberries with ground flax for a citrusy, sippable breakfast.

23 min · 2 servings

Frequently asked questions

Which foods are highest in vitamin c?

On our index, the foods highest in vitamin c per 100 grams include Acerola juice, raw, Spices, coriander leaf, Litchis, dried. The full ranked list of the top 20 is above, each linked to its data page.

How much vitamin c is in a daily value?

The daily value used on United States nutrition labels is 90 mg. Individual needs vary with age, sex and other factors; this is a general label reference, not dietary advice.

What counts as a good source of vitamin c?

A serving is generally called a good source when it provides at least 10 percent of the daily value, and an excellent source at 20 percent or more. Every food page shows the percent daily value for vitamin c.