In recent years, it seems impossible to ignore the açaí craze—there are millions of posts under the “açaí” hashtag on Instagram, and an increasing number of cafes have included açaí bowls, smoothies, and sorbets on their menu.
So, what has fuelled its hype? Read on to learn more about the fruit and why it is so popular.
What is Açaí?
A small, dark purple Amazonian berry, açaí is a staple of indigenous diets. When fresh, these berries taste like red wine, mixed berries, and dark chocolate. Their unique, earthy flavour has made them a popular ingredient in hot, savoury South American dishes.
Açaí entered the US market in the early 2000s. At first, it was popular among athletes due to its energy-boosting effects; however, several celebrities later termed it a “superfood,” causing it to blow up among the masses.
There are two main reasons why this Amazonian berry has received so much hype. Firstly, it has numerous health benefits that the health-conscious community admires. Secondly, it is endlessly versatile and can be consumed in many delicious ways.
Health Benefits
Many claim açaí as a superfood, meaning it has high nutritional density and a low amount of calories.
Most açaí bowls are rich in fibre and heart-healthy fats, which improve the digestion and assimilation process, positively impacting your health. Additionally, açaí is rich in vitamin C—more so than other berries, including blueberries—which contribute to your minimum required daily nutrient intake. Other health-boosting minerals in the açaí berry include calcium, iron, and potassium.
Furthermore, açaí has a high concentration of antioxidants that neutralise free radicals caused by environmental stressors like pollution. If these free radicals are not adequately addressed, they cause oxidative stress and damage cells, leading to chronic health problems like cardiovascular and inflammatory disease.
Moreover, açaí may be able to regulate cholesterol levels. Though human-based evidence does not yet exist, anthocyanin in açaí has been found to lower the total cholesterol level in rats (Souza et al., 2010). Furthermore, because açaí is a plant, it contains sterols, which restrict your body’s cholesterol absorption.
Hence, it seems that açaí, true to its claim, comes with numerous health benefits.
Versatility
There are many ways you can consume açaí, from smoothies to sorbet.
Firstly, you can eat them as açaí bowls, where açaí pulp puree is blended to create a thick smoothie base. You can pair your base with various ingredients, such as fresh fruits, granola, and nuts; different combinations of toppings give rise to different versions of an açaí bowl.
Many cafes also offer açaí smoothies, which are essentially the portable version of açaí bowls. You can blend the açaí with your favourite vegetables, fruits, and liquids for a nutritious drink that suits your tastes.
You can also consume açaí in sorbet form for a healthy, dairy-free ice cream alternative.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it seems that açaí is worth all the hype. After all, it boasts several health benefits, is fully customisable, and can be consumed in many different ways.
If you’re interested in buying açaí pulp puree, açaí sorbet ready to serve, açaí popsicles, and açaí wholesale in Singapore, contact Selva Foods.
References
de Souza, M. O., Silva, M., Silva, M. E., Oliveria, R. P., & Pedrosa, M. L. (2010). Diet supplementation with acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp improves biomarkers of oxidative stress and the serum lipid profile in rats. Nutrition, 26(7-8), 804-810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2009.09.007