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Botanical name
Euterpe oleracea
Description
The açaí palm is a species of palm tree cultivated for its fruit, açaí berries. The fruit is small, round, and black-purple in color. The species is native to Brazil, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, mainly in swamps and floodplains.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Acai berries are rich in fatty acids, especially oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids.
- Acai berries contain 19 amino acids, as well as several sterols, including campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol.
- Phytochemicals include mainly anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.
- Acai berries contain more antioxidants than other commonly eaten berries.
Health Benefits
Acai berries are high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which may lower oxidative stress and inflammation and have also been shown to enhance and improve memory. They are thought to work by inhibiting neuroinflammation, activating synaptic signaling, and improving blood flow to the brain.
Note:
Açaí was promoted heavily for its antioxidants, and many false claims have been made, such as reversal of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The FTC handed down an $80 million judgement in January 2012 against five companies that were marketing açaí berry supplements with fraudulent claims that their products promoted weight loss and prevented colon cancer. There is no scientific evidence that açaí consumption affects body weight, promotes weight loss or has any positive health effect.
Background and History
Acai berry was a staple food in floodplain areas around the 18th century.
In the 1980s, the Brazilian Gracie family marketed açaí as an energy drink or as crushed fruit served with granola and bananas. This led to the building of processing plants to pulp and freeze açaí for export.
In the early 2000s, imports of acai berries increased in the US. Many companies then flooded the internet with açaí berry advertising. Many of these advertisements contained counterfeit testimonials and products. In 2009, açaí scams were ranked number one on the US FTC’s scams and rip-offs list. By 2011, sales of açaí flattened as the fad died out.
Flavor Profile
Sweet berry-like flavor with a chocolate aftertaste
Pairs Well With
- Most other berries
- Bananas
- Chocolate
- Greens
Popular Uses
- Fresh açaí has been consumed as a dietary staple in the region around the Amazon river delta for centuries.
- Sold as frozen pulp, juice, an ingredient in various products such as smoothies, foods, cosmetics and supplements.