Açaí

Hi folks! Today in our Dica we’re checking out this famous and delicious fruit! Really common in Brazil and eaten throughout the whole country! But what is Açaí? Do you know where this fruit grows or what the name of that plant is? Or what goes well with bowl of this fruit smoothie? Today we will explain it all for you, as well as the all important pronunciation and also benefits for your health!

What is Açaí

You must be wondering what is açaí made of? Well, this berry grows on the açaí palm tree. This is tree native to Brazil, but you can also find it in northern America in swamps or flood plains. The name comes from the Tupi language and it means crying fruit, referring to the juice extracted from it.

The Uses for This Fruit

This small purple berry is native to the Amazon, but it was quickly popularized. The forms of consumption are diverse: in northern regions, it is considered a fruit that is part of a subsistence diet. In other regions, it is enjoyed as a sweet treat. Many Brazilians like to eat the blended açaí berry in a bowl, adding other delights like granola or fruit. Other people like the traditional açaí bowl, where only the fruit’s pulp is consumed. You can also find it in juices, alcoholic drinks, cakes and pies. The palm leaves and seeds can be even used to make clothes, hats and all sorts of things.

Açaí Benefits

There is a joke among nutritionists that this fruit benefits are inversely proportional to its small size! Many studies have already been conducted on what the health impacts of it would be, and all of them have come to extremely positive results. Let’s take a look at what is açaí good for?

• Antioxidant: As many others, the açaí fruit helps build your immune system, leaving you more protected.
• Fiber: these berries are full of fiber, which not only help make your trips to the bathroom more regular, it controls the sugar levels in your blood.
• Good for your heart: It helps lowering the risk heart failure and improves your cholesterol levels.
• Calcium: It’s perfect for keeping your bones strong!
• Energy: It’s a great pick-me-up for when you’re feeling tired or fatigued.

Açaí Pronunciation

After wondering what açaí is, usually the second question people ask is how do you pronounce açaí. Well, the word is contains the Ç, which in this word is pronounced as a S. Let’s take a look at açaí berry pronunciation in the audio below:

Would You Try it?

Now that you know how to pronounce açaí berry, let’s take a look at this video about one of our students talking about this plant!

And that’s it, folks! Now you know the benefits of the açaí bowl, how to pronounce it and even the opinion of one of our students! Come to Rio de Janeiro and enjoy it in our beautiful city! See you later and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
Tchau tchau!

Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Beach Foods in Brazil
Brazilian Street Food
Drinks in Portuguese