Kingdom Plante
Phylum/Division magnolyophyta
Class Liliopsid
Order Arecales
Family Arecaceae
Gender Euterpe
SpeciesEuterpe oleracea
Açaí is the fruit of Euterpe oleracea, or simply açaizeiro: palm tree typically found in the Amazon. However, in recent decades, the fruit has been produced and consumed in other regions of Brazil and the world.
In order to be consumed, the açaí pulp must be removed using specific machines or manually, after soaking in water. In addition to the famous açaí in the bowl, which are a mixture of açaí, guarana syrup, fruits (such as bananas) and cereals; this fruit can be consumed in juices, ice cream, popsicles, sweets, or just its pulp. In this case, some prefer it with a little sugar; others with flour; or even with baked fish or shrimp! One hundred grams of acai pulp contains about 250 calories, vitamins C, B1 and B2, phosphorus, iron and calcium.
The pigment responsible for the typical color of our teeth, after ingesting açaí, is called anthocyanin, which is responsible for fighting free radicals, preventing premature aging. The continuous consumption of acai pulp also reduces the chances of heart disease, arthritis and obesity. As for this last factor, it is worth remembering that it happens in cases of moderate ingestion, since it is a caloric food, rich in fat (fortunately, most are of the polyunsaturated type).
These characteristics, together with the large amount of fiber and proteins in general that it has, make the açaí pulp a widely used food – and indicated for athletes, after training.
One of the commercial advantages of the açaí palm is that it takes advantage of everything from the plant: the fruit, for the preparation of delicious foods; the seed, for extracting oil for the manufacture of cosmetics, and the making of handicrafts; palm hearts, for cooking and as a natural remedy to control bleeding; sheets and strain for building roofs and making braided products, such as bags, nets and bags; and the root, widely used in natural medicine, for example, as a dewormer.
See more!
acai in the bowl: antioxidant food.
Cupuacu: a legitimately Brazilian fruit.
By Mariana Araguaia
Biologist, specialist in Environmental Education
