What Is Acai? Everything You Need to Know About the Fruit

The acai berry is quite trendy and has been gaining traction around the world. The acai industry is expected to generate millions of dollars in the next 10 years. This superfruit is everywhere now - social media, grocery stores, and touted as a superfood among health and wellness groups. So what is acai and why has it become so popular? 

If you want to learn more about acai and its benefits, keep reading!

What Is Acai?

What does it look like and where does it come from? The acai berry is similar to a grape but smaller and darker purple. Acai berries are considered a fruit because they contain seeds. They have a tart yet sweet flavor. Sweetening acai with other flavors can balance out the tartness (like our Acai and Guarana packs!)

Acai berries grow on acai berry palm trees native to South America. 

Though acai has been used for thousands of years by natives, it recently gained more popularity around the world and has become more accessible. Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, low in sugar, and high in fiber and calcium.

The pronunciation of acai seems tricky, but acai is pronounced ‘ah-sigh-ee’.

What Are the Benefits of Acai?

There are many health benefits to eating acai and incorporating it into your diet. And if you're already into healthy foods, it's very easy to add acai by blending it into your daily smoothies! Acai is both nutritious and delicious. Here are a few benefits that you need to know. 

Lower Cholesterol

Studies have found that acai may help to lower cholesterol. This is due to the presence of anthocyanins, which are flavonoids. Flavonoids help protect cells from damage.

High in Antioxidants

Acai berries contain more antioxidants than other commonly eaten berries. Antioxidants combat free radicals. Free radicals help protect cells from carcinogens.

Benefit Your Brain

The antioxidants found in acai berries also boost brain health. Acai berries boost your brainpower due to the antioxidants that help eliminate inflammation. 

Improve Heart Health

Acai berries are also good for heart health because acai is high in anthocyanins. Acai is also high in fiber which can help lower cholesterol and improve overall heart health. 

Eating Acai

Acai tastes delicious and provides multiple health benefits. It’s the best of both worlds. So what are the best ways to eat acai? Here are some possible ways to reap the health benefits (and delicious taste) of acai.

Acai is available as the whole fruit, dried or frozen, powdered form, and even supplements. One of the best ways to enjoy acai is by making an acai smoothie bowl and topping it with other superfoods like flaxseed, chia seeds, or dragon fruit. 

You can also enjoy acai on its own. Our superfruit packs, including Acai Pure and Acai and Guarana, taste so good, we sometimes just eat them right out of the package. 

Acai powders are another easy way to add acai to your diet. You can add acai powder to cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, or in other baking products like making granola bars.

How to Find Acai

Acai can be purchased at almost any health food store or smoothie bowl shop. Acai Exotic even delivers acai right to your door. Our Acai Almond Butter Bowl, superfruit packs, and powders are available to order on our website.

The best acai products are ones that are organic and and sustainably grown and sourced, like Acai Exotic (wink wink, nudge nudge). Our berries are harvested straight from the Amazon and packed within 8 hours to maintain the taste and nutritional value of the acai berries. Our acai products are also gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and non-gmo. Many brands add unnecessary sugar, fillers and additives to their products to make them sweeter and have a longer shelf life. We stay away from adding these sugars, fillers and additives in order to bring you acai as it was meant to be. We promise our acai tastes just as delicious without all the added sugars. 

There are also many products that have acai mixed into them that offer a great boost of nutrition on-the-go. Acai pairs well with other berries like blueberries, strawberries, and other exotic fruits like dragon fruit and guarana.

Make sure to store your acai the right way to prolong its freshness! Acai should be stored in the freezer and taken out to thaw when you are blending it into a smoothie.

Acai for You

Next time you ask yourself, ‘What is acai?’ Remember acai is a superfruit native to South America. Acai not only tastes great, but has an abundance of health benefits that can contribute to a healthier and tastier life. With powders and pre-packaged bowls, you can easily enjoy acai and all its benefits on the go.