Cafe Medley blends up the best Acai Bowls in town. Ready for energy? This amazing morning delight or afternoon treat is the perfect addition to any day.
The below information is from acairoots.com
The Açaí Berry
The Fruit – Açaí (Acai), pronounced ah-sigh-eeh is a Tupi (Brazilian indigena language) word that means “fruit that cries” (learn more about acai berry history). This dark purple little fruit looks very similar to a grape or blueberry, with the difference that the majority of the fruit is seed (~ 95%), and only the skin around the seed is utilized to make acai juice or pulp.
Nutritional Value – Açaí is at the top of the chain when it comes to antioxidant concentration – the berry scores 67% more antioxidants than pomegranate, and over 500% more antioxidants than blueberry.
Why Antioxidants are so Important?
To understand the role that antioxidants play, you have to understand what free radicals are. Free radicals are molecules that reportedly damage our cellular membranes and even our DNA. Free radicals come from various pesticides, preservatives, and pollutants in the very air that we breath. If our bodies lack the fuel to fight off these free radicals, then we run the risk of our cells mutating and forming cancerous growths. Antioxidants are created by the body from various substances and are what the body uses to fight off these free radicals and strengthen cells. Antioxidants allow the body to neutralize many of these free radicals reducing the risk of many diseases, including heart disease. The body converts many vitamins and minerals into antioxidants, of these, most are contained in the açaí berry. Research has shown that antioxidants are vital to strengthening the body’s ability to resist disease. These antioxidants play a vital role in strengthening our cellular walls and decreasing cholesterol related disease.
The Palm Tree – Scientifically called “Euterpe oleracea”, the Açaí Palm (or “açaizeiro” in Brazil) can grow up to 30 meters tall (90+ ft), and it can be found all over the Amazon Region – typically by the margins of the rivers, given the acai palm tree demands a lot of humidity. The leaves of this palm tree can reach 3 meters (~9 ft). Most parts of this palm tree are utilized in Brazil: the fruit is utilized to make juice, smoothies, etc, the seeds for handcrafting, the heart makes the delicious heart of palm (called “palmito” in Brazil).The leaves are utilized by the “caboclos” (locals from the Amazon Region) to make roofs of their houses, and the strings are also utilized.
