AÇAÍ
{ass-a-i}

WAS GENAU IST AÇAÍ?

Açaí is the fruit of the so-called Açaí palm and belongs to the palm family. The fruits look very similar to blueberries. It consists of 90% of a hard core. Only the 10% on the outside is the valuable flesh.
At the beginning, the berries are still green in colour. When they turn dark purple, they are ready to be harvested.

WOHER KOMMT DAS AÇAÍ?

The Açaí berry is only found in the Amazon rainforest. It has been used for centuries as a food by the indigenous population of the Brazilian rainforest. The berry is said to have vitalising and healing effects.

WIE WÄCHST AÇAÍ?

Açaí does not grow on bushes like other berries, but on palm shrubs high up on the tree crown.
The palm trees are spread all over the forest. There are no monocultures or plantations. Only 7% of the palm trees have been planted, the rest are natural.
The conservation of the Açaí palms therefore has a positive effect on the entire Amazon jungle.
HOW IS AÇAÍ HARVESTED?

 

Açaí is still harvested in Brazil today in the traditional way by local farming families. The workers climb up the palm trees and pick the ripe bushes with the berries; these are then collected in woven buckets.
Since açaí is highly perishable, it is processed within 24h and then traditionally consumed as a puree.