The first time I ever heard and tried Acai was in Alaska last Jun/Jul. I know, super random.
Khizer & I flew into Anchorage and spent the night before driving over to Denali National Park. Before leaving Anchorage, I was looking for a place where I can pick up something to each quick. On Yelp, I found Acai Alaska - with outstanding rating! I looked through some pictures and had NO-IDEA what Acai was, but decided to give it a try.
I got the Mauna Kea Bowl which is made up of their Original Blend (Acai, Banana, Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Marionberris) and topped with All fresh fruits, Hemp Seed, Flax Seed, Goji Berry, Coconut Shavings, Flax Granola, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Macadamia Nuts, and Walnuts.
I instantly FELL IN LOVE with Acai! I mean isn't it amazing how you can really top with anything?! I mean it is just like froyo, but once you read and learn about Acai, it feels so much better to be eating this!
So let's talk about Acai.
Açai is pronounced ah-sigh-ee and it looks very similar to blueberries that grows in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. These days, it is being called "the superfruit" since it is loaded with antioxidants and healthy omegas. Antioxidants high foods can help prevent cell damage & they are found in a lot of berries like cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and such.
Once I returned back to Houston, I searched where I can buy this "Açai" and found Sambazon brand. Since I always look for unsweetened versions of things, this Açai Berry - Pure Unsweetened- Superfruit packs were perfect for me. The reason why I like unsweetened products is so that I can adjust the sweetness to my liking. If I want it a little sweet, I can add a drizzle of agave, or add more fruits when I blend it.
You can typically find Sambazon products at Whole Foods, around $6-7 for 4 single serve packs.
When I make the Açai bowl, I typically add the following to make the base blend:
- 1 Sambazon Açai superfruit frozen pack
- 1.5 scoop vanilla flavored gold standard natural 100% whey protein powder
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup frozen blueberries/strawberries/raspberries or 1/2 frozen banana
- small amount of greens (spinach or arugula, whatever I have in the fridge)
- 1 tsp Green tea matcha powder
- Almond milk / water as needed to your liking (you can add more liquid to just drink this as a smoothie if you are short on time or on the go)
As you may think, I put really weird things in my Açai blend.
- Protein powder: I usually have Açai bowl as a meal replacement and post workout, so I want to pack it with protein
- Greek yogurt: I cannot live without this. It will make your Açai blend creamier and boost protein content
- Greens (spinach or arugula): I don't put too much of these since their taste can be overpowering, but I put a little bit to give myself more chances to eat my vegetables!
- Green tea matcha powder: I.Love.matcha. Green tea is also known to have high antioxidant content and matcha powders are made from grinding the whole leaf, this content is even higher! I just put a little bit to boost antioxidant in my food.
I try to take advantage of "blending everything" so I try to sneak in a lot of items in to feel slightly more health :)
Some topping ideas:
- Fresh Fruits (banana, any berries, kiwi, mango, etc) - nothing better than this. Fresh fruits can make the Açai bowl so pretty and vibrant!
- Frozen berries - I always find it difficult to eat fresh fruits before they go bad, so I always keep couple packs of frozen berries at home!
- Chia / pumpkin / hemp seeds
- Nuts (pecans, walnuts, almond or any chocolate covered nuts!)
- Cacao Nibs - I use Navitas Naturals cacao nibs. 0g sugar and 100% cacao!
- Coconut flakes - adds texture! try to go for unsweetened
Go make your own. top it with whatever you like and make it pretty, because I find eating pretty food just makes things better!