Guide to Acai Berries: Homemade Acai Bowl Recipe

Acai berries (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) are the fruit of the acai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea). The oblong, deep purple berries grow in large sprays on fan-like branches and feature a sizable, inedible pit that must be removed before ingesting.

Acai berries are grown exclusively in South America, throughout the Amazon River Delta, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. The berries have been a local dietary staple for centuries; in its native countries, crushed acai pulp is often used as a condiment alongside proteins like fish or other meats.

Acai berries taste like a cross between tangy pomegranate and raspberries, with a distinctly earthy undertone similar to cocoa nibs—which Brazilians use to top off acai ice cream. Frozen acai purée is often combined with other frozen fruits, like banana and mixed berries, to round out its flavor in bowls and smoothies.

Since becoming a darling of the Western health food and wellness realm in the 1980s, the health benefits of the Amazonian “superfood” have been widely touted. Acai berries are commonly found to be high in antioxidant properties, due to its levels of anthocyanins (the compound that gives the berry its distinctive violet color) and moderate polyphenolic content. However, neither the polyphenolic content nor the antioxidant properties have been scientifically proven to promote specific health benefits, like heart health or weight loss. (Acai juice actually ranks lower than red wine in antioxidants.)

Eaten in moderation, acai berries can be a beneficial addition to any balanced diet—they contain dietary fiber and a good amount of fatty acids—but most nutritionists recommend viewing acai bowls and smoothies in particular as a treat, not a daily habit: Acai bowls can contain more than twice the daily recommended amount of sugar.

Most grocery stores stock acai purée in the frozen aisle alongside the rest of the frozen fruits. The berries can also occasionally be found in acai powder or acai berry juice.