What is Acai Pulp?
Acai pulp is made from the fruit of the acai, also known as aqai. These plants are tall palms, native to Central and South America and grow to an average height of 82 feet (25 meters). The fruit has become very popular outside South America in recent years as an antioxidant.
The fruit of the acai plant is approximately 1 inch (2.3 cm) in size. It is black-purple and similar to a grape in size and appearance. Each branch holds between 700 and 900 acai fruit.
Each fruit has one large seed, which takes up almost 80 percent of the fruit's volume. Acai pulp is made from the berries themselves. The native populations of the Brazilian Amazon use the berries as a food staple and have for many years. Acai pulp comprises almost 40 percent of their total diet and is the heart of the economy in parts of the Amazon.
In North America, the pulp and juice are commonly blended and added to other fruit blends, smoothies and drinks. In this form, the unique taste of acai pulp is partially masked by the other fruits and liquids. These drinks are typically made at the time the order is placed and are available in a wide range of restaurants and health stores.
The way that acai pulp is prepared and served in Brazil varies by region. In northern Brazil, acai is usually served mixed with tapioca in a dish with a consistency of pudding. The dish can be either salty or sweet. In southern Brazil, the fruit of the acai is served as a breakfast dish, mixed with granola. The pulp is often used as a flavor for ice cream, juice or liqueur drinks.
Acai has become very popular in North America, based on claims of increased energy, improved sexual performance, skin appearance and digestion. Scientific studies have confirmed that this plant has antioxidant properties, similar to other fruits. Overall, the acai fruit has less antioxidant properties than mangoes, strawberries or grapes.
The cost of raw acai fruit is fairly high in North America, due to the transportation costs from Brazil. For this reason, the most common method is to freeze dry or shrink-wrap the fruit before transportation. Many suppliers have started to process the fruit into capsules or powdered drink mixes. These products are popular with North Americans who are concerned about the potency of the product and the cost. The switch to packaging at the source has also generated economic development in Brazil.
Written by Carol Francois
