Acai
Acai (Ah-sigh-ee) is a nutrient rich super-berry from the Brazilian Amazon that is one of the most potent antioxidant superfoods in the world.  Acai is also packed full of healthy omega fats, dietary fibre, iron, calcium, protein, potassium and vitamins. Renowned American dermatologist Dr Nicholas Perricone has also named acai as the No1 superfood in the world to help reduce the effects of aging Pulpa was one of the first companies to introduce Acai to the UK market and we are passionate about it. Pulpa Acai comes in three formats; Acai Smoothie Sachets, Acai and Guarana Sorbet, and Pure Freeze Dried Acai powder.

What is an Acai berry?
Acai comes from the Acaizeiro palm tree that is indigenous and thrives in the Amazon basin of Brazil. The berries grow in large bunches at the top of the palm tree and are deep violet in colour and somewhat resemble a large blueberry. Many describe the taste as combining berries with an earthy- chocolaty flavor.

How was acai discovered as a super-fruit?
For centuries the berries have been harvested by locals of the Amazon basin and form the staple food in the diet of many communities, taking the place of rice, bread, and milk. Such is acai's nutritional quality that it is an integral part of the nourishment, and well being of the people of the Amazon basin. Açai's popularity started when some enterprising Brazilians started freezing the fruit (thus preserving all its natural characteristics) and transporting it to Rio de Janeiro. Açai rapidly became the drink of choice for Brazil's surfers, athletes, and the body conscious. By 1992 Açai was firmly part of Rio's beach culture with every bar, gym, and beach stand doing a roaring trade. Today, Açai is drunk throughout Brazil and its consumption is firmly part of Brazilian culture. Açai then gained popularity throughout the US and is now growing in Europe as its taste and amazing nutritional properties become increasingly well known.

How is acai’s popularity affecting the Amazon rainforest?
 Açai's popularity has started to curb deforestation as its commercial value has increased. It is abundant in primary forest and many landowners have realized that harvesting the naturally growing açai fruit is much more profitable than chopping down the forest and farming the land. Consequently açai production has soared and brought valuable work to many impoverished areas whilst maintaining the natural environment of the rainforest.

What is Acai’s nutritional content?
Açai is packed with energy and really is one of the world's wonder fruits in terms of its nutritional properties. Açai berries contain many more antioxidants (anthocyanins) than pomegranates or blueberries. The ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of acai is higher than any other edible berry in the world.  It also contains high levels of Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, valuable dietary fibers, amino acids, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.  It is the synergy of all these properties in one fruit that makes acai so sought after.

How does the quality of acai vary?
The vast majority of acai is wildly harvested and once picked is highly perishable and will spoil within 24 hours.  Consequently, Acai must be immediately frozen in order to retain most of its natural characteristics and goodness.  Over 90% of the acai berry is a seed with only 10% being the edible pulp. This 10% of the fruit must be blended with water to make the acai into a useable and edible form. This is called ACAI PULP. ALL acai products on the market are produced from this frozen acai pulp, whether it is a bottled drink, juice, extract or powder. Consequently the way in which this pulp is used or processed determines the quality and nutritional values of the acai product (and this varies enormously).

What is the best form of consuming acai?
There are various forms of consuming acai and some are much better than others. Many companies tend the market the nutritional properties of acai on the tree instead of the levels of acai contained in their particular product.  Others also tend to use ‘generic’ acai nutritional information that is often exaggerated rather than independently lab tested info for their particular product.  Below is a list of acai products available on the market.

Frozen Pulp – As this is the primary source of all acai products, it is an excellent form of consuming acai. It is certainly a great way to buy acai if you want to make your own juices or smoothies. The frozen pulp retains all the nutritional properties which are then released when you blend it with your favourite juice, fruits, or yogurt. This is the same product you get when you go to your local juice bar.

Acai and Guarana Sorbet – Made with the pure frozen pulp and guarana syrup for that extra energy boost.  Great tasting and with a texture that allows you to eat it directly or add a scoop to a juice or smoothie. 

Freeze Dried Powder – The freeze drying process retains all the nutritional properties of acai through reducing the pulp into a fine powder at very low temperatures.  Unlike extracts, freeze dried acai completely captures the unique synergy of nutritional benefits found in acai and is completely pure with no carrying agents.  We guarantee our freeze dried powder to be the very best quality and we back this up fully with our nutritional analysis.  It is simply pure acai with nothing added and is excellent for adding to any beverage!

Extracts – Extracts are normally made from spray dried acai powder and are often found in acai capsules.  Spray drying is done at high temperatures and tends to loose over 40% of the nutritional properties of acai.  In addition they require large amounts of carrying agents (40-50%) such as starch or maltodextrin to help aid the shelf life.  Furthermore these products tend to contain less than half the amount of acai  with a 4:1 ratio compared to the freeze dried versions that have over double this.  In total, extracts are often 6-8 times less potent than the freeze dried versions and this can be reflected in the cheaper price.

Acai Blends - There are many products such as juices and powders that market themselves as acai products when they are actually a mix of various fruits and herbs.  The acai content is often minimal but the product may market the nutritional properties of acai as the main selling point.

Acai Juice - Once thawed and bottled, acai looses many of its natural characteristics and nutritional properties. This is the primary reason why the vast majority of acai in Brazil is consumed in the form of the frozen fruit pulp. Pre-packaged juice is simply not accepted. Acai juices will often contain very little acai pulp in them and the nutritional benefits are therefore minimal.