Where to buy açaí and everything you need to know about this fruit

You may have heard wonders about this fruit and are looking for where to buy açaí.

How to get it?

At Baia we have freeze-dried Açai. A cold-drying process that preserves 98% of this fruit's nutrients. More than frozen pulp, and easier to use and store.

You can get the highest quality açaí sold in Spain here and start enjoying it today.

Just add 5g to your favorite smoothie, juice, or yogurt.

And if you want to know more about this Brazilian fruit

In this post we tell you everything and we will resolve any questions you may have.

WHAT IS ACAÍ

The açaí, acaí, asaí, or acai berry, It is the fruit of the palm tree (Euterpe Oleracea) native to the Eastern Amazon, and is found in greatest abundance in the state of Pará, Brazil. It also grows in other Brazilian states such as Amapá, Amazonas and Maranhão, as well as in other countries such as Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Traditionally, the fruit was harvested in the Amazon, filled into large woven baskets, and transported in small canoes and large boats to the open markets of the city of Belem.

Among them, the largest is the Ver-o-Peso market, where you can buy açaí and verify its quality. As the boats approach the Ver-o-Peso market, you can hear the vendors shouting, "Cow's Blood!" So They refer locally to this wine-colored fruit.

1. THE ACAI BERRY

The açaí berry measures 10 to 14 mm in diameter and has a color that can range from dark red to deep purple.

The pulp represents only 10% of the fruit, the rest being the seed. Its flavor is a mix of chocolate and forest fruits.

Acai fruit, the largest volume of the fruit corresponds to the seed.

2. THE AÇAIZEROS

The palm trees that produce the açaí fruit are the açaizeros; they can reach over 25 m in height. Their trunks are 9 to 16 cm in diameter and they usually grow in groups of 4-9, although up to 25 have been observed together.

The açaiceros They produce flowers and fruit all year round, although there are periods of greater abundance depending on the region. Generally, the highest production occurs from July to December. This allows for açaí pulp and juice to be available year-round.

Each palm trunk can produce 4-8 bunches with 4 kg of fruit each. But if young trunks are cut and other plants growing around them are removed, Palm trees can produce 10,000-12,000 kg of fruit per year in dry land forests and up to 15,000 kg in flooded forests.

Cultivation of açaizeros, of our ORGANIC AÇAI.

AÇAÍ PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

This Brazilian fruit has become popular for its great properties and benefits, among which are:

1. ANTIOXIDANT POWER

Açaí has ​​a much higher antioxidant power than other berries, red fruits and foods. You can check its ORAC value, a scale created by the US Department of Agriculture. USA, to measure the absorption capacity of oxygen free radicals.

As you can see, the açaí fruit has a much higher antioxidant value than other fruits that are very popular today for their antioxidant power, such as blueberries and raspberries. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

It's normal that everyone wants to know where to buy açaí...

The antioxidants in açaí, Helpto fight the effects of free radicals, which, in case you don't know, are molecules or atoms that have lost an electron and are unstable. They seek stability by stealing an electron from another molecule, turning it, in turn, into a free radical. They cause great damage by attacking molecules and cell membranes.

The antioxidants that stand out in the açaí berry are anthocyanins and flavonoids. These are responsible for the purple, red, and violet colors of açaí and other fruits like blueberries and blackberries. They are considered especially useful in preventing and combating cancer. In this 2018 meta-analysis It has been proven in numerous studies with rodents, the effectiveness of açaí, not only in preventing cancer, but also in avoiding proliferation and in Helpr in chemotherapy treatment.

2. PROMOTES THE Gut health

The açaí fruit is very rich in fiber, so improves the health of your microbiota and intestine acting as a prebiotic, it keeps blood sugar levels stable and is an ally against constipation.

3. REGULATES CHOLESTEROL

Anthocyanins reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, but the açaí berry also has plant sterols that prevent the absorption of cholesterol and also polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Plant sterols in freeze-dried açaí powder. Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry

In this study In an uncontrolled study, it was found in 10 subjects that taking 200 g of açaí pulp daily reduced blood cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and fasting insulin.

4. STRENGTHENS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Antioxidants of the açaí Helpin the different parts of the immune system. Also its content of ellagic acid, fights bacteria and viruses and being rich in fiber, Help to colon cleansing, leaving the immune system free for other tasks. Its content in electrolytes, trace elements and vitamins, also Helpn in this reinforcement.

5. IT HAS DIURETIC ACTION

His high potassium content In relation to sodium, it allows the elimination of excess fluids.

6. PREVENTS COGNITIVE DECLINE

In a study that açaí pulp reduces inflammation of brain cells and in another in vitro study It was observed that açaí is capable of promoting autophagy and improving brain health.

7. IT HAS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

A study in the journal "Agricultural and Food Chemistry" suggests that the antioxidants of this Brazilian fruit, avoid the activity of mast cells, an immune cell that produces histamine that has pro-inflammatory function.

Another laboratory study concludes that freeze-dried açai powder is capable of inhibiting the pro-inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2.

8. INCREASES SPORTS PERFORMANCE

Its nutritional characteristics already suggest that it is a highly recommended fruit for athletes, but in a 6-week study, it was found that in junior athletes, the consumption of Açaí juice improves plasma antioxidant capacity and serum lipid profile.

Besides Among the simple sugars it contains, glucose stands out. Therefore, it is a good fruit to replenish muscle glycogen, since fructose only serves to replenish liver glycogen but not muscle glycogen.

Carlos Gracie

Carlos Gracie, the creator of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was the one who popularized açaí. In front of his house in Copacabana, there was a shop that sold açaí from the Amazon. After learning about the fruit from the shop owner, he recommended that the students at his school drink it every day. The students' achievements and their excellent physical condition began to be known, and people wondered what that magic potion they took every day was... Surfers discovered it was açaí, and soon every juice bar on the beach was selling it...

9. Help CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT

The açaí fruit can Helpto reduce weight since It contains a large amount of fiber and fatty acids that increase satiety.

These same components to the Helpto maintain stable blood sugar levels, avoid cravings.

10. MAINTAINS SKIN HEALTH

Antioxidants counteract the excess of free radicals that can be caused by overexposure to the sun and specifically malvidin and cyanidin present in the pulp of açaí, prevent skin damage age-related.

11. BOOSTS CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega 9) together with phenols, makes it an ideal fruit to fight atherosclerosis. inhibiting cytokines.

12. Help TO PREVENT CANCER

Some of the aforementioned benefits and other new ones give it anticancer properties. Its antioxidants:

• They inhibit the growth of cancer cells (In 2007, the University of Pittsburgh discovered that anthocyanins in blackberries are capable of killing cancer cells. And açaí is much richer in anthocyanins...)
• They increase the speed of the cell cycle (cancer cells die faster by apoptosis)
• They reduce the speed with which capillaries that feed tumors are created (anti-angiogenesis)
• They limit the production of inflammatory compounds that can cause tumors.
• They reduce DNA damage

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF AÇAÍ

Acai fruit or powder is natural and safeIt has no known contraindications. However, as we always recommend, pregnant women or those taking medication should always consult their doctor to avoid possible interactions. Although we believe the problem lies more with supplements and extracts that contain other substances in addition to açaí.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION OF AÇAÍ

Outside of its endemic location (Brazil) it is almost impossible to obtain fresh açaí., which is why it is usually presented freeze-dried (the best option) or in juice.

Here we show you the nutritional information for the three options.

Acai juice from our ORGANIC AÇAI farm

1.NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF THE AÇAÍ FRUIT

-ProteinsAcai contains 19 amino acids, including all the essential ones! Yes, this fruit has the complete protein.

-Carbohydrates: Most of the carbohydrates in açaí are in the form of non-absorbable fiber. Among the sugars, it's worth noting that it has twice as much glucose as fructose.

-Fats: They are the fundamental component of the berry. Among them, the most abundant is the fatty acid Monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid, from the omega-9 series, accounts for over 50%, followed by saturated fatty acid palmitic acid, with just over 24%. Linoleic acid, from the omega-6 series, comes in third place, with 12.5%.

Palmitic acid is the most abundant in breast milk. Perhaps that is why Children in the Eastern Amazon have been drinking açaí juice since they were 6 months old.

-Fiber: The açaí fruit is very rich in fiber, among which insoluble fiber stands out.

-Vitamins: This berry contains primarily vitamin A (retinol). It also contains a small amount of vitamin C.

-Minerals: Among the minerals, calcium and iron stand out.

-Fitonutrients: Acai is rich in fitonutrients, which are substances that plants have, which are responsible for providing them with color, flavor, protecting them from the sun, from inclement weather, from other elements of its environment ( medicinal mushroom, animals, periods of drought...). When eaten, they provide us with health benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory action...

Among its composition Anthocyanins, tannins and polyphenolic compounds stand out.

Keep in mind that most of the fruit's weight corresponds to the seed

2. NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF AÇAÍ JUICE

The juice is not available outside of Brazil. natural of this fruit. Here we show you the nutritional information for a commercial açaí juice. As you can see, it doesn't contain the much-loved fats, so if you're thinking of buying açaí in Spain or outside of Brazil, buying it in powdered, freeze-dried form is still the best option.

Nutritional information for commercial açaí juice

3. NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF FREEZE-DRIED AÇAÍ POWDER

Freeze-drying is a cold dehydration process, ideal if you want to buy quality açaí, since retains all its properties and characteristics.

Maintains: Content fitochemical Enzymatic activity Nutritional value Bioactivity of fresh fruit Retains: Antioxidant activity Flavor

It also allows the food to be stored for a long time at room temperature. Here we show you the nutritional information for freeze-dried açaí powder. Baïa Food Co.:

Nutritional composition of Baïa Food Co.'s premium freeze-dried açaí, organically grown in Brazil under fair trade conditions.

You can see that freeze-dried açai powder retains all the amino acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids found in fresh fruit.

As you can see, freeze-dried açaí powder retains all the fatty acids of the original fruit. The most abundant fats are monounsaturated with 60.6%., among which the most abundant acid is oleic acid with 56.2%. In second place are saturated fats with 26.1%. Among these, the most abundant is palmitic acid with 24.1%. We have already said that this is the most abundant fatty acid in breast milk. Finally Third place goes to polyunsaturated fats with 13.3%., highlighting linoleic acid from the omega 6 series with 12.5%.

WHERE TO BUY AÇAÍ

You've already seen all the properties and benefits of this Brazilian fruit. It's all the rage, and everyone wants to know where to buy açaí.

It is a delicate fruit and cannot be transported and sold fresh outside of Brazil.

The best option is to buy it in powder form, dehydrated through a freeze-drying process. However, not all freeze-dried açaí is of the same quality.

To save costs, many companies mix it with other dehydrated fruits such as lime, giving it an acidic flavor and making it lose its characteristic fatty texture.

In Baïa Food Co. only We sell the best quality açaí, with an organic seal, originating in Brazil and grown under fair trade conditions.

1. WHERE TO BUY AÇAÍ IN SPAIN

If you live in Spain and are looking for where to buy quality açaí, You can place your order through our website and it will arrive at your home in 24-48 hours.

You'll be able to enjoy wonderful recipes right away and take advantage of all the benefits of this superfood.

A. AÇAÍ IN MADRID

If you live in Madrid, you're in luck! In addition to the previous option, you also have a place to buy açaí in person.

You can place your order with us (+34 91 059 73 42) and visit our offices from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

AÇAÍ RECIPES: THE AÇAÍ BOWL

You can buy açaí to use in any preparation with fruit, smoothie or shake, but The most popular recipe for this superfood is undoubtedly the açaí bowl..

1. WHAT IS THE AÇAÍ BOWL

The açaí bowl recipe consists of mixing açaí powder with vegetable milk, milk, or yogurt and add fruits and some cereal grain and/or seed to taste.

This is an ideal recipe for breakfast, a snack, or as a dessert.

Here we show you one of our favorite açaí bowls:

In this recipe, you can play around with the texture a bit. If you don't want it cold, you can add the unfrozen fruit. However, if you want it more frozen, you can omit the coconut milk.

Ingredients: - 2 frozen ripe bananas - 1/4 cup coconut milk - 2 tablespoons of açai powder - 1 handful of blueberries Put all the ingredients in a powerful blender and blend until you get a soft-serve ice cream texture. Toppings: Mango, fresh blueberry, flaked coconut and buckwheat.

2. OTHER RECIPES WITH AÇAÍ

The açaí berry is very versatile and can be used in many other recipes. We'll show you how. one of the ones we like the most.

• Acai popsicles

Ingredients: - 2 squeezed oranges - 1 handful of strawberries - 1 banana - 1 tablespoon of açaí - 1 tablespoon of agave syrup Beat all the ingredients, put them in the molds with the sticks and wait for them to freeze (minimum 4 hours)

Ingredients: - Yogur natural -10 gr of açaí Beat the ingredients and decorate with berries.

If you want any other açaí recipe you can visit our page and ours Instagram.

AÇAÍ IS WAITING FOR YOU

We've tried to tell you everything about this Brazilian fruit. If you've read the post, you're almost an expert on this superfood and know where to buy quality açaí.

We'd love to hear about your favorite recipes, and if you have any questions or would like to share more information about açaí... WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE COMMENTS!