1. Small Tropical Berry, Massive Following
Gently swaying the tropical breeze, acai (ah-sigh-EE) berries grow in large clusters - each with 500-900 fruits - from the branches of the acai palm tree. Brazilian natives have relied on this berry as sustenance and medicine for thousands of years. Fast forward to 2008 to find the sales of acai-related products topping $106 million dollars.
2. Packed with Superfruit Benefits
Acai berries (and acai powder) are brimming with antioxidants, including anthocyanins (beneficial plant pigments), and according to studies may possess a higher content than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry. They’re also a quality source of dietary fiber, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamin A. Start your day with an Acai Basil Latte.
3. A Taste Chocoholics can Appreciate
Acai berry has a full, rich berry flavor with notes of chocolate. Really, how does it get any better than that?
Pair dark chocolate with superfoods acai powder for a delicious combination!
4. It Promotes Vitality, Inside and Out
Acai is known as the “beauty berry” in Brazil, where it's used to promote health and vibrancy from the inside out. Brazilian natives used it to heal skin conditions and made an acai seed tea for fever. The antioxidants in acai make it popular for use in beauty products, such as skin creams.
5. Acai Bowls
If you’ve never heard of an acai bowl, do yourself a favor and perform a quick image search. Part smoothie, part art, there are a thousand ways to personalize this tropical breakfast sensation. The base is typically frozen acai puree blended with fruit and a bit of coconut milk to create a thick, “scoopable” texture. Topping this purple super-smoothie is the best part - toss on some bananas, walnuts, and blueberries or create a one-of-a-kind motif with shaved coconut, mango slices, raspberries, and chia seeds…you get the idea. Beautiful, good for you, and satisfying. Try out this refreshing organic acai smoothie bowl.
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The acai palm is also harvested for hearts of palm - a crunchy, slightly-sweet delicacy derived from the tree's inner core. Sherwin Williams has a paint color called "hearts of palm" - a calming shade of green.
References:
CBSnews.com “Superfruit a Day Keep the Doctor Away?” found here.
Wikipedia, “Acai Palm” found here.
altmedicine.about.com, “The Benefits of Acai” found here.
Wikipedia, “Heart of Palm” found here.
Huffingtonpost.com, “Everything You Need to Know About Acai Bowls, The World’s Best Healthy Breakfast" found here.
Medicine Plus,“Acai” found here.
WebMD, “Acai Berries and Acai Berry Juice - What are the Health Benefits?” found here.
SELF Nutrition Data, “Pure Unsweetened Acai Berry,” found here.
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, "Herbs at a Glance - Acai" found here.
