Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Açai

What is Açai?

Açai has taken the health world by storm this past decade. Açai fruit, found in the açai palm tree, are small, deep purple berries native to tropical Central and South America (1). They are known for their anti-inflammatory, polyphenol, and antioxidant properties (2). Polyphenols, phytonutrients which naturally occur within plants are said to help aid in lowering the risk of inflammatory conditions including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (3). Even though not recognized in a nutritional category of foods, açai berries have definitely fallen under a “superfoods” class. These tend to be natural foods which are especially nutrient-dense and generally low in calories. All whole plant foods are essentially superfoods, however typically known superfoods contain specific components such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and a high micronutrient density. These can include camu-camu, goji berries, açai berries, and blueberries. “Superfoods are those that offer exceptional health benefits, beyond what you’d expect based on just their nutritional profile,” according to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD (4).

How Do I Eat Açai?

Açai has a bit of a tart, earthy flavor to it. You can play around with a wide range of flavor profiles including this superfood enjoying plant diversity at its finest. One of the most well-known ways to consume açai is through an açai bowl. These are great for any time of day but make for a wonderful breakfast or antioxidant-packed snack. Açai can be put into smoothies, oatmeal, or even compotes to drizzle on anything from pancakes and waffles to yogurt bowls.

Açai Bowl Recipe:

In a high-speed blender, add:

• 1 Packet of frozen unsweetened açai

• 1-2 Frozen bananas

• 1-2 Chilled bananas (to help soften and blend the mixture without adding a liquid)

• ½ Cup of frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)

It’s best to use a tamper with your blender. This will keep the thicker consistency. Blend until smooth.

Toppings Ideas:

• Shredded coconut

• Granola

• Fresh berries

• Ground flax

• Hemp seeds

• Peanut butter and jelly

• Chia seeds or chia seed compote

• Fresh bananas

Açai Options at P.S. & Co.

• Organic Açai Bowl - A refreshing classic açai bowl made with organic unsweetened açai and banana. Topped with organic seasonal fruit.

• Organic Açai Dragon Fruit Bowl - A tropical açai bowl made with organic unsweetened açai, dragonfruit, mango, passionfruit, pineapple, and banana.

• Organic Protein-Packed Açai Bowl - A naturally protein-packed açai bowl made with organic unsweetened açai, mango, passionfruit, pineapple, dragonfruit, banana, and Tierra Farms almond butter. Topped with organic seasonal fruit.

• Organic Açai Dragonfruit Passionfruit Pineapple Smoothie - Organic brazil nut milk, organic açai, organic dragonfruit, organic passionfruit, organic mango, organic banana, ice. 

 

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1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). ACAI. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acai

2 Pitchford, P. (2009). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books.

3 Da Porto A, Cavarape A, Colussi G, Casarsa V, Catena C, Sechi LA. Polyphenols Rich Diets and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 24;13(5):1445. doi: 10.3390/nu13051445. PMID: 33923263; PMCID: PMC8146556.

Kaputk. (2022, July 5). What is a superfood, anyway? Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-a-superfood/