Acai
Think you know acai? This trendy berry has more going on than just looking good in smoothie bowls. Here are some fun and surprising facts about the mighty acai palm and its fruit!
Not Actually a Berry: Yep, acai is technically a drupe—like a peach or cherry—because it has a large central seed. About 80% of the fruit is just seed!
Super Short Shelf Life: Acai spoils within 24 hours of harvesting, which is why you’ll rarely see it fresh outside the Amazon. That’s also why it’s usually sold frozen, as a purée, or powdered.
Chocolate Vibes: Wondering what acai tastes like? It’s often described as a mix between wild berries and dark chocolate. Definitely not as sweet as a blueberry.
Amazon MVP: In some parts of the Amazon, acai makes up nearly half of daily caloric intake. Locals blend it with water to create a thick, nutritious staple dish eaten with fish or cassava.
Grows in Clumps: Acai palms don’t grow just one trunk—they sprout in multi-stemmed clumps that can reach 50–100 feet (15-30 m) tall. Each clump can have 8–10 trunks growing from a single root system!
More Than Just Berries: The tree also gives us hearts of palm—a delicacy harvested from its inner core. Because it’s multi-stemmed, harvesting can be done sustainably without killing the plant.
Palm Family Tree: Acai belongs to the same botanical family as the Christmas Palm, Majesty Palm, Areca Palm, and Saw Palmetto.
Eco Hero: The acai palm plays a big role in Amazonian ecosystems, supporting wildlife, providing income for local communities, and helping preserve biodiversity.
So the next time you grab an acai bowl, remember—it’s more than just a pretty fruit. It’s a powerhouse from the heart of the rainforest!
