Acai Berry

The acai berry is a small fruit that looks similar to a grape. It is round and black-purple in color, measuring around one inch in diameter and growing from the acai palm native to tropical regions of central and south america -- most notably Brazil. These little fruits, which we now know are one of the most nutritious foods available in the world, grow in what are called panicles (similar to a bunch of grapes) that contain seven to nine hundred fruits. While this may seem like a lot, only two crops are produced per year, and the demand for acai berries and the products into which they are made are under more and more demand with each year as the news of their tremendous and amazing health benefits spreads.

Even before becoming popular among people among the world, the acai berry made up a large portion of the diet of a the local and traditional Caboclo populations in the Amazon region of Brazil. The acai palm and its nutritious fruit were described by many such people to be the most important plant species to them, not only because of the health and healing attributes of the fruit itself, but because the stems and other parts of the palm were used as well.

Even the local consumers of this berry found and used creative techniques for including it in their diet. It is traditionally served in gourds with tapioca, but quickly became popular to eat mixed with granola and even used to flavor ice cream and juice. With the ability to freeze dry and otherwise keep the pulp fresh (thereby preserving its many health benefits) many more options have become available, including having it made into health drinks, yogurts, sorbets, and even powder and capsule supplements.

Now that you know a little more about the amazing acai berry and where it comes from, you can appreciate how important this little fruit has been to local people of the Amazon and how important it is becoming to people around the world as a source of energy and natural antioxidants. Unlike many of the "miracle" foods marketed today, acai does not come and go because its ability to boost energy, the immune system, and general health is not an advertising ploy; it is a true and noticeable result of including this real superfood in your diet. Check out our selection of acai products and recipes and find out how acai can help you feel better and be more healthy.