What is Acai?

Acai (pronounced (ah-sigh-EE ) is a fruit that grows on the Acai Palm Trees in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. The Acai berry is small in size (smaller than a grape) and is dark purple in color. Acai is mostly seed, covered in a small amount of pulp. In fact, about 90% of the Acai berry is seed - it is important to note that no one eats the Acai berry seed. The Acai Fruit

Acai berries are harvested as food. In a study of three traditional Caboclo populations in the Amazon region of Brazil, acai palm was described as the most important plant species because the acai fruit makes up such a major component of diet (up to 42% of the total food intake by weight) and is economically valuable in the region.

In northern Brazil, açaí is traditionally served in gourds called "cuias" with tapioca and sometimes sugar. Acai has become a fad in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as açaí na tigela ("açaí in the bowl"), mostly mixed with granola - a fad where acai is considered as an energizer. Acai is also widely consumed as an ice cream flavor or juice.

Acai fruit is sold in various different forms. Pure dried acai, organic acai, acai juice, acai supplements, acai pulp and so on

What makes Acai so special? While Acai may be small in size, it packs a nutritional punch unlike any other food in the world. While we get more into the specific benefits of Acai in our Acai health benefits article, here are a few highlights to wet your appetite:

• In 2005, Oprah name Acai the #1 Super Food, saying "This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world.”
• Acai has 10 Times the antioxidant power of red grapes and twice that of blueberries
• What is clear is that Acai has tremendous health properties and may be one of the best possible foods you can eat to stay healthy.

How Does Acai Taste You Say? Terrific! Acai has a berry flavor with a subtle chocolate after taste. Acai tastes so good, you would never guess it is also great for you.

So, How Can I Get Acai Fruit? Venture in our Second Storey Market for a wide variety of Acai juice with added flavors such as Blueberry and Mango.

Okay, so this is our take on Acai - Acai is the #1 Super Food in the world, but it is not available fresh outside of the Amazon Rainforest.

Posted at 04:43PM Aug 11, 2008 by Michael Powers in Dining Trends  |