Whether you’re looking for a satiating breakfast idea, a great pre or post-workout snack, or a refreshing treat on a warm summer’s day, an acai bowl is sure to tick your box.
What’s so great about acai bowls is that they offer the ultimate trifecta when it comes to nutrition. They’re filling, packed with amazing nutrients, and taste delicious. It doesn’t get more well-balanced than that.
If you’re a fan and want to learn how to make an acai bowl of your own at home, check out this blog for more.
Table of Contents
What Is Acai and Where Does it Come From?
Acai is actually a superfood that originates from the dense jungles of the Amazon rainforest. The small, dark purple berry grows on acai palm trees that are native to this part of the world, as well as other areas of Central and South America.
Brazilians are no stranger to the acai berry, with generation after generation of Brazilians and South Americans enjoying acai as part of their everyday diet. The reason why the fresh berry has not made it to many other parts of the world is that it has a rather short shelf-life.
This means that many acai products are manufactured in Brazil or South America, then shipped in frozen puree form, or freeze-dried powder form. The acai berry looks similar to a blueberry, except its color is far darker and it has a hard outer skin. It also has a small stone in the center of the berry.
So, what does acai taste like anyway? In its rawest form, acai has a semi-sweet, tropical, earthy flavor — much like a marriage between blackberries and cocoa.
How To Make an Acai Bowl: The Acai Puree
First thing’s first, you need to know how to make the base, and the most important part of your acai bowl, which is the puree. For an organic acai bowl, opt for organic fresh produce to construct the rest of the puree — most of the time, acai berries are naturally organic!
There are a number of ways you can make the base of the bowl, but the most important tool you’ll need is a good blender. Here are some popular ingredients to include:
- A frozen acai berry packet which is enough for one bowl and the most authentic, rich flavor
- Top it up with some additional frozen berries, such as a half-cup of strawberries or blueberries
- Then, add in a full or half a banana, depending on how large you want your acai bowl to be
- Next up, you’ll need to add some liquid to blend it all — coconut water, apple juice, or pineapple juice works best
- If you want to bump up the protein content of your acai bowl, now is the time to add your protein powder of choice, then blend once more
There are a few other bits you could add to the puree mixture to sweeten it a little or add some healthy fats. You could use a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup, or agave for extra sweetness.
If you want to add some peanut butter (keep it smooth), or almond butter, this adds an extra element of creaminess to the puree.
Where to Buy Your Acai
So, you may find yourself wondering where to get acai from, other than Brazil of course! As mentioned, it’s usually shipped internationally in frozen berry or powder form. Today, most mainstream grocery stores sell acai products in the frozen foods section.
You can choose from acai berry puree packets, whole frozen acai berries, or powdered acai. One of the best acai brands to look for is Sambazon, which you can find in popular stores such as Costco, Target, Whole Food, and Trader Joe’s.
Topping Off Your Acai Bowl
Once you’ve made your acai bowl base, aka the puree, you want to complete the entire recipe with a selection of toppings. This is the fun part and basically, the world is your oyster when it comes to toppings and your personal preference!
Some of the best fresh toppings you can include range from:
- Sliced banana — which is a must for additional fiber, creaminess, and natural sweetness
- Sliced strawberries — for additional natural sweetness too
- Fresh blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
- Chopped up pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, or mango
Other than these fresh toppings, you might want to include the following to add a sense of richness to your acai bowl if you’re looking for more of a decadent meal:
- A drizzle of smooth peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter
- A little bit of honey for extra sweetness
- Vanilla or chocolate-flavored granola for a touch of delicious crunch which goes perfectly with the smooth acai puree
- Toasted coconut chips or flakes
- Chia seeds for their amazing antioxidant properties and great omega-3 fatty acids
- Cacao nibs, chopped dark chocolate, or miniature chocolate chips
The sky is the limit when it comes to toppings. But bear in mind that the more toppings you add, the more calorie-dense the meal or snack becomes. If you’re looking for a satiating yet healthy snack, you don’t want to overdo it with the topics — this could also detract from the delicious flavor of the acai too!
Find Simple and Honest Nutrition Inspiration Just a Click Away
Now that you know how to make an acai bowl of your own, you might want to invest in a good blender or food processor if you don’t already own one! Making your own acai bowls or smoothies is a brilliant way to save yourself some money while getting your daily dose of much-needed nutrients in just one meal.
If you have a love for all things nutrition and need some recipe inspiration, you’re in the best place possible. Explore the rest of this site for your fix on all things health and wellness through food!
