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Amazon Rainforest |
Açaí grows on açaí palm trees in the
Amazon Rainforest. The Amazon borders eight
different countries and has the world's largest river basin. Not only does the
Amazon supply one fifth of the world's freshwater, it has the highest diversity
of birds and freshwater fish. The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world
where one third of all animal and plant species live. The açaí berry was first
used by the tribes of the Amazon jungle as a cure for various ailments. The
açaí berry is just one of the fruits that has been discovered in this vast
region. It is estimated that the people of the indigenous
tribes routinely use up to
2,000 of the 3,000 known rainforest fruits for medicinal purposes. The Shuar
tribes are one of these Amazonian tribes that have for centuries, through
tradition, used plants such as the açaí berry for medicinal purposes. |
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Açaí with
Shrimp |
Açaí
has been consumed by Brazilian natives for centuries as a snack, a meal, and as
food garnishes for entrees such as fish, seafood, and poultry. The traditional Brazilian açaí blend includes a touch of the guaraná berry.
Guaraná contains
naturally-occurring caffeine and provides a smooth, natural energy boost, as
well as enhanced mental focus and clarity. |
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Today’s surfers in Brazil
habitually eat a bowl of açaí in the morning - - usually topped with sliced
banana and granola (known as "açaí na tigela" or "açaí in a bowl") - - knowing
that it will energize them for an entire day of competition and fun out in the
surf. Americans have, in recent years, begun to discover many ways to enjoy açaí, including nutritious
smoothies, juice, sparkling juices, cocktails, sorbets, mousses, tarts, pies,
entree garnishes and sauces, and the traditional "açaí in a bowl". |
Açaí in a
Bowl |
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Nutrition Information: |
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Loaded with
Antioxidants. The açaí
berry has an amazingly high concentration of antioxidants which combat
premature aging. Antioxidants decrease cell destruction, which in turn combats
the aging process and helps keep the body free from disease, such as cancer,
heart disease and strokes. Studies show açaí has ten times the antioxidants of
grapes, twice that of blueberries, and thirty times the antioxidants found in
red wine. Foods are often viewed in terms of their “ORAC” score. ORAC, or
Oxygen
Radical Absorption Capacity, is an analysis that measures the
antioxidant activity of a substance. The ORAC value of açaí is higher
than any other edible berry in the world! |
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A Natural
Source of Essential Omegas. Omega 3, 6, and 9. Omegas
are essential fatty acids that are part of the family of fats that are essential
to your good health. The fatty acid ratio in açaí resembles that of olive oil. Studies suggest this
is a contributing factor to the low incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean
populations. Omegas are important for cell development, provide heart
protection, are used in nervous system development and regeneration, play a role
in brain function, strengthen the immune system, aid in cholesterol management,
and help with healing of the body. Omegas are excellent for muscle repair after
exercise. Studies show the omega fatty acids and the balanced nutrition
available in the açaí berry activate and sustain the energetic effects of the guaraná
making the açaí/guaraná blend a long-lasting energy source.
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Amino Acids. Açaí
berries contain an almost perfect essential amino acid complex. This is vital
for proper muscle contraction and regeneration, and for endurance, strength,
sustained energy and muscle development.
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Calcium and Iron. Provide healthy bones and reduce fatigue.
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Dietary Fiber. Açaí is also an excellent source of dietary
fiber! Fiber promotes a healthy digestive system.
Research studies suggests soluble fibers may help lower blood
cholesterol, and may help to reduce the
risk of developing certain types of cancers.
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Nutrients
for Sustained Energy.
Açaí is extremely rich in organic vegetable protein, which
does not generate cholesterol during its digestion and is
processed and transported to your muscles more easily than
animal protein (such as in milk or meat). Besides its
outstanding content of protein, açaí is also rich in
carbohydrates which provide your body with the necessary
energy while working or practicing any kind of sport. Of
course, the traditional blend of açaí and
guaraná provides a
smooth, natural energy boost, improved focus, and enhanced
mental clarity. |
Guaraná Berry |
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The Legend of Açaí |
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Long, long ago, in a beautiful region of Brazil now known as Belém,
a local Indian tribe was hard-hit by famine. While the food
supply became smaller and smaller, the tribe continued to grow in
size. In an attempt to spare his people more pain, the chief of
the tribe decreed that, henceforth, any children born would be
killed, as there was not enough food to feed them. Soon
thereafter, the chief’s daughter, Iaça, gave birth to a beautiful
baby girl. As with all decrees from the chief, each member
of the tribe had to comply. Unfortunately, not even the
chief’s daughter could spare her new baby girl from the sentence
of death. The baby girl was put to death.
Iaça cried inconsolably for months,
grieving the loss of her beautiful daughter. One night, as she
walked in mourning under a bright and full moon, Iaça heard the
cry of a child. She hurried towards the sound and came upon a
gracefully tall, slender palm tree. At the top of the tree, Iaça
could see clusters of dark fruit and at the bottom of the tree,
she saw her baby daughter waiting for her with open arms. Iaça
ran toward the vision, but as she reached out to embrace her
child, she was overcome with joy and died happily beneath the
tree.
On the following day, the chief found his
daughter’s lifeless body under the tree. An angelic smile lit up
her face and she appeared to be gazing up to the sky. Following
her gaze skyward, the chief looked upon the beautiful tree and saw
the dark, purple fruit. He immediately ordered these unknown
fruits to be harvested by his people to try to assuage the hunger
that continued to overcome the tribe. The members of the tribe
soon discovered that a juice could be extracted from the berries
that would satisfy the hunger of the whole tribe. The chief’s
somber decree was lifted, and the tribe rejoiced from their new
source of nature’s bounty. Out of gratitude to Iaça and in
memory of her sacrifice, from that
day on, the fruit of the palm tree that saved the tribe was known
as “açaí” which is “Iaça” backwards.
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