The last few years have seen an explosion in awareness of new superfoods, such as goji berry, chi seeds, and açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee).
Açaí fruit is a berry that comes from a palm tree native to Central and South America. The berries are small, round, dark-purple globes that look similar to Concord grapes.
Long eaten as a staple by indigenous populations in the regions where it grows, açaí came to the attention of Americans within the last decade, and had become very popular as a super food, primarily coveted for its purported antioxidant properties.
Açaí berries are rich beneficial omega fatty acids, including oleic acid and linoleic acid, which have been shown to reduce bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, helping to prevent heart disease. Açaí pulp also contains high levels of dietary fiber, which also lowers cholesterol. In addition, açaí is a good source of potassium, manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin-K.
Because the berries contain large seeds, they are generally consumed juiced or otherwise processed. Here are a few recipes to get you started with this exotic super fruit:
Super Breakfast Kick
Ingredients:
7 ounces frozen açaí berries
1 cup mixed frozen fruit and berries (your choice)
1 banana
1/4 cup granola
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until liquefied.
Jaime McLeod is the Web Content Editor for the Farmers' Almanac. She is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, loves eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.
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3 comments
vitamin c with banana not good combi – the banana cancel the other vitamins!!! be aware!
How does the fruit taste ,is that bit citric or tastes like Grape, whether this has good shelf life?
Thank You
In this picture they look exactly like blueberries. I have never seen them before, nor tried them. I am thinking it is just another expensive new fad.
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