Although it may be challenging to pronounce acai (ah-sigh-ee, for the record), adding this superfood to your diet couldn't be simpler. For hundreds of years, the native inhabitants of the Amazon jungle have harvested and used acai berries. However, it wasn't until the last ten years or so that the brilliant purple fruit began to gain popularity in the United States and other parts of the world. When compared to other berries, acai is notably high in antioxidants and is bursting with nutrients.
Acai is now included in a wide range of items, including supplements, cosmetics, smoothie bowls, hot and cold refreshers, and even smoothies. It's difficult to find fresh acai berries outside of their native habitat in Central and South America because of their extremely short shelf life (according to Purple Foods, they won't last more than 24 hours in their raw state after harvest), but it's simple to find acai in frozen puree, fresh juice, or powdered form, and it turns out that there are a lot of things you can do with it. Here are a few of the most creative, tasty, and healthy uses for acai.
Acai Smoothie
Smoothies are a convenient on-the-go meal alternative and a fantastic way to start your day with some nutritious vitamins and minerals when mornings are busy and you don't have the time or resources to make breakfast. Acai pulp has just 70 calories per 100 gram and is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and minerals as per reports. It is also low in saturated fat, which is unexpectedly abundant in several popular smoothie ingredients like peanut butter, coconut milk, and some protein powders. Acai is a flexible addition to both sweet and savoury smoothies due to its bittersweet flavour characteristic.
Another benefit? Acai can help you reduce your sugar intake by replacing foods with a lower glycemic index, such as fruits or vegetables. A smoothie mistake that can quickly transform your blended beverage from a healthy meal replacement to a raging sugar bomb bulking out a shake with a bunch of high glycemic foods (such as banana, pineapple, and watermelon). Acai, which is naturally semi-sweet and packed with nutrients, gives smoothies a nutritious flavour boost without adding too much sugar.
Oatmeal with Acai
Acai is a food with a low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index help regulate insulin and may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other common health problems that are related to our diet. Steel-cut oats, which go great with acai, are shown to fall in the low to medium range of the glycemic index, which is good news for oatmeal aficionados. Oatmeal of various kinds is frequently paired with berries, and acai provides the ideal harmony of dark and light flavours.
Of course, berries are a typical addition to all kinds of oatmeal, and acai provides the ideal harmony of bitter cacao flavour and dark berry flavour. Most stores have steel-cut oats, which are inexpensive and simple to find. The whole grain, which is high in fibre, may be cooked on a stovetop, in an Instant Pot, in the microwave, or even overnight in a Mason jar for a convenient breakfast. You may get a double dose of heart-healthy goodness by topping your oatmeal with a liberal amount of acai puree.
Acai Mojito
White rum, sugar, mint, lime juice, and club soda make up the original mojito, although there are countless variations that may be produced. Today, a plethora of clubs and eateries offer fresh fruit or berry mojitos on their cocktail menus. The fun method to give your drink a berry burst is to muddle in acai puree with the rum, sugar, mint leaves, and lime before adding club soda. But don't stop there! Try replacing the white rum with blanco tequila, blending fresh jalapenos with the acai puree, or substituting basil or cilantro for the mint. Any blend of vibrant berries, fresh herbs, and refreshing club soda will provide a reviving beverage that is guaranteed to impress your happy hour crowd. Additionally, mojitos are equally delicious without the alcohol.