About Brazilian Acai Berries

The Acai palm, native to tropical Central and South America, is mainly found in Belize, Brazil, and Peru, taking up root in their floodplains and swamps. It gives fruit to a berry, the Acai berry, which is small, round and anywhere between black and purple. The berries usually reach roughly 1 inch in diameter and are similar in appearance to a graph, although they contain far less pulp.

For centuries, the Brazilian people have harvested the berries of the Acai palm twice a year as food. In certain more traditional regions of Brazil, the Acai berry comprises up to 42% of the population's total food intake.

Acai juices and pulp are most often used in juice blends, or smoothies, and are commonly served mixed with granola. In Brazilian culture, Acai is widely considered to be an energizer, much like the United States' obsession with energy drinks. The nutritional content of the Acai berry, however, far outweighs any sort of energy drink!