Get to Know Açaí

Açaí, pronounced ah-sigh-EE, is an indigenous berry found in the rain forests of the Amazon. This fruit has been heralded for centuries as a healing, energy-boosting fruit.

The açaí palm, commonly found throughout the Amazon, stands between 50-80 feet tall and produces the edible fruit known as the açaí berry.  The berry itself is about ½- ¾ of an inch in diameter with a single large seed, making up around 90% of the fruit.  The seed is surrounded by stringy fibrous sheaths and a thin, oily coating. The fruit holds a dark red to deep purple color.

Because açaí berries are so low in sugar and acid, which protects most fruits, they must be picked, processed, flash-pasteurized and frozen quickly before transportation out of the Amazon.

If left unprocessed, the fruit will oxidize, turn brown and lose its beneficial nutrients. This is why you won’t find fresh açaí berries in your local grocery store in the U.S. Instead, it is sold either as frozen pulp, juice or as an ingredient in your favorite sorbet, yogurt or drink.

Açaí contains anthocyanins, a group of polyphenols, which are responsible for its purple color and its antioxidant activity.  The açaí berry has a unique, tropical taste.  The elusive flavor is hard to pinpoint, but is often described as a menagerie with notes of blackberries, raspberries, pomegranates and chocolate!

Açaí blends well with most fruits, especially banana, pineapple and mango. It can be used in a variety of applications from smoothies, confections and desserts to salad dressings and drinks.

Request a sample of açaí today and give your products a boost of super fruit!

iTi supplies organic açaí products including frozen açaí pureé, frozen clarified açaí juice, frozen clarified açaí juice concentrate and frozen organic açaí with lime. These products are 100% natural, GMO free, Kosher-certified, organic-certified by ECOCERT and manufactured under a certified quality system. They do not contain any artificial color, flavors or preservatives.