The Açaí Berry

For many centuries, the healing power of the Acai berry was unknown outside of the Amazon rainforest where this amazing fruit grows wild. The rainforests of the world are thought to hold the keys to treating and preventing many of our most feared diseases, and as the rainforest disappears those cures disappear along with it. The Acai berry, however, has already been discovered, and it has been used by the indigenous peoples of the region for thousands of years to enhance health and vitality. The Amazonian Açaí berry (Also called: The Assai palm, euterpe palm, palmito açai, açaí berry, cabbage palm, assaizeiro, pina palm, palmier pinot, and juçara) grows on the açaí palm, which is a tall, slender South American (concentrated in Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname) palm grown for its fruit as well as for the "cabbage" (the cluster of new leaves more commonly called the "heart of palm"). It prefers swampy areas, and grows quickly. The fronds were (and still are) used for thatching and weaving. Each açaí berry palm tree produces small deep purple, almost black, fruit (berries) in groups of 3-8 per bunch. The fruit is edible, and its pulp is used in wines and liqueurs, as a flavoring, as a colorant, and on its own as a juice and, now Amazon Thunder açai. The açaí berry (fruit) is 90% nut and 10% açaí pulp and must be carefully handled and processed before consumption. During the process, açaí berries are placed into a machine and, by using water, are agitated against one another. This process separates the açaí pulp from the seed of the berry and yields a thick açaí fruit pulp puree.

Açaí fruit contains essential fatty enzymes (omega-3 and omega-6) plus oleic acid (omega-9) which are beneficial in lowering Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Açaí berries also contain high levels of calcium, vitamin E and phosphorous and high concentrations of polyphenols, making it a powerful antioxidant.

Açaí berry has a unique tropical fruit flavor and provides outstanding nutritional benefits. Açaí berry contains high levels of antioxidants, otherwise known as anthocyanins. It also contains healthy omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids (the good fats), iron, amino acids, fiber, and many othera vitamins and significant minerals.

The natives living in the Amazon River region in Northern Brazil have consumed the nutritious açaí berry for hundreds of years and its healing and wellness powers are legendary. In the last five years, the popularity of the açaí berry has spread from the Northern regions of Brazil to the rest of this South American nation. Typically, Brazilians consume the frozen açaí berry pulp topped with granola and/or bananas, in an energizing drink, and in yogurts and ice cream.