Power of the Pulp: Raw Acai Berries

By / Last Modified: June 2, 2008 / 2 minutes of reading

A Healthy Taste Straight From the Amazon Rainforest

Acai berries, growing wild in the Amazon rainforestBy now, most of us have heard about the high-octane health benefits of acai berries, cultivated exclusively and naturally (without pesticides or chemicals) from the Amazon rainforest. Called by some* to be the “most nutritionally dense” berries, these little jewels apparently have more antioxidants than blueberries and more heart-healthy anthocyanins than red wine. They’re also rich with protein, dietary fiber, with high levels of Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids. Plus, they’ll reduce the prices at the gas pump. (Okay, I’m not certain about that last part….)

But the trick is getting the acai berry pulp as close to the source as possible, and without being over-processed (which depletes the nutritional value considerably). Raw acai is the only sure way to get all the benefits of the berry, and unless you’re planning a trip to Brazil anytime soon, that can be tricky. Even though I’m very mindful of “food miles” and eat locally grown foods almost exclusively, I was eager and curious to try raw acai pulp that is processed as little as is safely possible. Enter Amazonfrutas….

Amazonfrutas is a company which works closely with carefully selected Brazilian co-ops — local growers who harvest and sell acai in strict accordance with the governmental regulations. Workers pick, clean, de-seed, freeze and ship the berries within 24 hours. The frozen pulp can be thawed to make smoothies, mixed with granola and yogurt, and blended into the healthiest cocktails you’ve ever tasted.

They sell both AcaiRaw and AcaiTwist, which has added evaporated cane juice as a natural sweetener. For one week, I tried AcaiTwist in a daily smoothie (with an organic banana, freshly squeezed organic orange juice, a few organic strawberries, and ice from purified water) and honestly felt a higher level of energy all morning, and a clearer focus throughout the day. Power of suggestion? Perhaps. But I know for sure it tasted delicious. (And of course, that made me feel better about splashing some AcaiTwist in a glass of prosecco at happy hour.)

It sure isn’t “eating locally,” but the fair-trade acai industry has reportedly helped the honest Amazon economy, and whether or not the berries are the cure-all or not, they are certainly rich in taste. Take a closer look at this high-octane superfood, and you might find yourself adding it to your diet for the flavor, not just the proposed health benefits.

*Read articles about the nutritionally beneficial claims of the acai berry from Dr. Nicholas Perricone on Oprah (he calls it his “#1 Superfood”), The University of Florida, and The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

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About The Author

Deb Hiett spent several years in New York City, where she was an actress, dancer, musician, and playwright. In reviewing her first original one-woman show, The Village Voice called her "the bold new voice in solo . . . a sure-shot writer." Her work has won The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts “One on One” Writing Competition and The Western Stage's “Starving Artist” Playwriting prize, and her short stories have appeared in several literary journals. Deb’s love of writing married her passion for healthful, organic, and environmentally-conscious living once she moved to Los Angeles a few years ago. She has spent the past year planning her wedding, writing screenplays, and applying a variety of broad-spectrum sunscreens.

11 thoughts on “Power of the Pulp: Raw Acai Berries”

  1. Meredith Melnick

    yum! i adore acai and am so happy to see your post! when i lived in brazil, we used to eat acai na tigela (literally “acai in a bowl”) – a sort of frozen pudding with granola and banana slices on top.

    i agree that while acai isn’t local, there is value in supporting a sustainable amazon economy. Profit through protection is the only way we will be able to save the great rain forest.

    Reply
  2. acai berry

    Some great tips & tricks here.I really liked it.Thanks.Acai Berry is a rich source of Omega fats. Fat content of Acai is 50% where as 74% of this fat content is healthy unsaturated fats such as Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9.

    Reply
  3. Meredith Sobel

    I love sambazon acai or amazon mania raw acai. I don’t understand why both brands offer a sweetened version with gurana. I also don’t know what gurana is and what effect it has on the body. I use acai in smoothies and they are wonderful. I’ve had it in jamba juice or other stores where the use the sweetened version and its just not the same!

    Reply
  9. Sandra and Ted

    Hi.
    There are so many benefits that you can get out of the acai berry that every person should have free access to it. It would save the world so much money it would be unbelievable.
    Why is it when something so good is found in this world that so many people want to find reasons why you should not use it.
    In this case Acai delivers so much goodness without the side effects from natural sources it makes you wonder if the anti acai groups are paid from the pharmaceuticals companies.

    Good food for good health
    Sandra & Ted
    http://www.goodfoodgoodhealthforyou.com

    Reply

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