Nutrition
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Acai from Brazil: discover how this delicious berry is produced
Acai from Brazil: understand how this Amazonian fruit is harvested and processed to produce the “acai frozen pulp”, basic ingredient in preparing all the delicious and healthy menu options like acai puree (“acai in a bowl”) or dressings (“acai fish dressing”)
Acai from Brazil? Yes, from Brazil. Harvested from 25m – 30m tall acai palm trees (Arecales arecaceae), acai fruit measures between 1cm to 2cm in diameter, weighing around 1,5g. Found in several states in the Northern region of Brazil, with Pará state leading acai harvesting in the country.
The variety of Acai fruit is basically:
- Purple Acai berry: also known as Black Acai or Acai wine, producing a dark colored pulp (the most common type)
- White Acai berry: presents a shining green pulp, producing a white creamy juice
For more information about the beautiful legends surrounding the fruit’s origin, please take a look at this article: Acai Origin
Acai pulp is largely used in the preparation of juices, ice-creams, energy bars, purees (the most know “Acai in a Bowl” option), mixed fruit dishes, in natura, dressings, alcoholic beverages etc.
A very delicious fruit – and, guess what, also a powerful nutritious allied for your healthy menu. Aging benefits (antioxidants), bowl movements improvement, heart disease prevention, high cholesterol improvement, infections treatments etc
For more information about Acai health benefits, click here: Açaí – The Ultimate Guide
Acai from Brazil – the country’s industry
During the end of the 90s, the industrialization and freezing of acai pulp began to grow in Brazil. The offering of a frozen pulp option for the fruit´s consumption was a key factor to boost consumption worldwide.
Since the fruit presented an amazing, unique and delicious flavour and a variety of options for healthy food preparation, this easiness of using acai frozen pulp even more to “spread the word” about acai-based dishes.
The process of harvesting and producing acai frozen pulp is initiated by local population, that live in the Amazonian regions were Acai palm tree is present. Also known as “Ribeirinhos”, they harvest and collect the berries, storing them in baskets. By boat, the berries are taken to local processing industries were:
- Acai berries are “air cleaned”, were fruits are separated from leaves, branches, dirt and other impurities
- The fruits are then taken to a tank with chlorinated water for 15min, were all bacteria are eliminated from the fruits’ skin, guaranteeing that they are ready for pulp extraction
- The fruits are taken again to another tank, but this time with warm water to facilitate the process of pulp extraction
- After these prep steps, the fruits follow to the automatic pulp extraction machines (similar to a blender), were the pulp is separated from the kernel
- This liquid pulp is finally pasteurized and frozen in the packages you can easily find to purchase
It is extremely important to notice that the frozen acai pulp must be stored between (-)18ºC and (-)25ºC. This ensures the quality and integrity of your product. Also, be sure that the frozen pulp presents a uniform mass and presents a dark purple color.
Sources: Embrapa, IBGE, Mrs. Szegö (CEO at By Health Marketing and researcher of health and wellness themes).
If you have a cafeteria or snack / lunch bar serving kids, why not include natural juices and frozen fruit pulp recipes? Click in the button below!
