by 
The Curious Bag
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The acai (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) berry comes from the acai palm tree. The purple berries look like blueberries but darker. Acai palm trees grow in Central and South America and are indigenous to the floodplains of the Amazon River estuary.
Acai Products
Acai fruit spoils quickly, so it's usually found as an ingredient in juices,sodas, smoothies and protein bars. Acai juice is made by extracting pulp from the berries. Acai berries are harvested, refined and turned into pulp.
Health Benefits
Acai berry juice contains high levels of antioxidants and heart-healthy omega fatty acids. According to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, acai berries are a good source of fiber.
Buying Tips
Acai juice should not contain preservatives and should be bottled in glass. It should be pasteurized and unfiltered to maintain the integrity and purity of the fruit and pulp.
Taste and Texture
Acai berries taste sweet, like a mix of blueberries and chocolate. Acai juice has a thick consistency.
Fun Facts
Amazon natives used the acai berry as a medicinal cure, a source of energy and to increase libido. Acai is also sold raw, frozen, pureed, powdered and in capsules and pills. Acai means "the fruit that cries."
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