Origins of the Acai Berry

The Acai berry has been consumed for thousands of years, but it was not until the 1990′s that it was introduced to the western world. The berry was first used by the tribes of the Amazon jungle as a cure for various ailments. It was named by the native people as “içá-çai”, which roughly translated means: “the fruit that cries”.

Where does the Acai berry grow?

The Açaí berry is indigenous to the flood plains of the Amazon estuary and covers an area in Northern Brazil equivalent to half the size of Switzerland. The fruit comes from a palm that has a long thin trunk that can reach heights of up to 25 meters. Traditionally the Acai berries would be picked by hand – tribe’s men would climb up and cut Acai laden branches from the top of the palm tree. The Acai palm regenerates with ease.

Acai is one of the main food sources of river communities in the Amazon estuary. A bowl of Acai is usually eaten in the morning with breakfast.

Acai berries in Rio

Brought to Rio by northern Brazilians migrants who moved to city, the Acai berry was consumed as a natural source of energy. In the 1960’s, the famous Gracie jiu-jitsu family in Brazil recommended eating Acai before and after workouts. Soon after, it became popular with Brazilian surfers as a natural way to regain energy. The berries were pulped and frozen to keep them fresh and they became an additive to the smoothies drunk along the beaches. It was known as a natural Viagra by the boys of the beach.

Acai berry production

Now that the Acai berry has become enormously popular it is mass produced. Agronomists have successfully developed a method of cultivating the Acai palm sustainably with a high yield. In the last 5 years Acai berry production has tripled. Each Acai palm tree produces around 20 kg of fruit per year. Its active ingredients only have a 24 hour life span. As a consequence, the berries must be loaded into baskets and onto boats soon after picking.

Belem, the principal city in the Amazon estuary, has around 60 factories and employs over 30,000 people in the Acai berry industry. The city is the world center for Acai. An estimated 200,000 liters of Acai juice is drunk every day by the 1.3 million inhabitants of Belem. Refrigerated trucks transport frozen berries from Belem to Rio, where it is a very popular ingredient in smoothies, ice-cream, and even cocktails.

Acai berry goes international

Only recently, at the start of the new millennium, have a few companies started to market the Acai berry in the United States and other countries. One of the first companies to do so was Sambazon. They are now the largest supplier of Acai berry pulp outside of Brazil. Scientists have discovered that Acai is extremely rich in anthocyanins, the group of biochemicals in red wine that are believed to have many health benefits including lowering the risk of heart disease. Sales of Acai have started to accelerate dramatically as more and more people become aware of its powerful health benefits.

See also: The Amazing Acai Berry