Do you long for warm weather and sunny days like I do? Instead of concentrating on the overcast sky, let’s pay attention to these colorful, revitalizing aça bowls. Without the jet lag and sand in your jeans, they’re like a tropical vacation in a bowl. Enjoy them in the morning before going to work!
Since seeing aça bowls on my friends’ holiday posts from vacations to Hawaii and Southern California, I’ve been fascinated about them. Like usual, I thoroughly researched acai bowls online and experimented with my own acai bowl recipe until it was perfect.
Since acai grows in the Amazon, combining it with tropical fruits felt only natural. Frozen banana, mango, and pineapple add a simple and all-natural sweetness to these smoothie bowls. This is the entertaining method you’ve been looking for to eat more fruit.
These acai smoothie bowls are vegan and have a smoothness that is almost sorbet-like. The smoothie component is actually so delicious that you could serve it as a quick dessert after supper. Alternately, fill it with crunchy granola, nuts or seeds, and fresh fruit for a filling and healthy breakfast.
Bonus? This smoothie keeps nicely in the refrigerator for a few days, unlike most others.
What on earth is acai?
Here’s how to pronounce acai first. Second, acai fruit grows on acai palm trees along the Amazon river, especially in Brazil. The fruit is roughly the size of grapes and has a deep purple appearance that is almost black. They are seen here.
The so-called “berries” of acai are actually mango-like stone fruits. The hard seed occupies the majority of the interior, while a thin coating of edible fruit surrounds it. The fruit is crushed and frozen because the berries don’t travel well.
Up until the 1970s, the majority of acai usage was confined to the Amazon region of Brazil. Acai bowls (aça na tigela) and acai bars were widely available in Brazil by the 1990s after it gained popularity as an energy snack in the jujitsu and volleyball communities. Find out more here.
What flavor does acai have?
Because acai is one of the few fruits without added sugar, it doesn’t taste like other fruits. In fact, I doubt you’d want to consume it by yourself.
To me, acai tastes incredibly tannic and earthy, similar to a blackberry that isn’t particularly sweet. “A little like exotic mixed berry meets a tinge of cocoa,” says Sambazon of the flavor.
I blended acai packets with frozen banana, pineapple, and mango to counteract the acai flavor. These frozen fruits add a deliciously creamy and sweet flavor to this smoothie (although not overtly sweet). There is no need for dairy or additional sweeteners!
Why would I desire to consume acai?
Acai berries also contain additional minerals, fiber, and good monounsaturated fats in addition to their high antioxidant content (including omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9). Acai berries may contain more antioxidants than cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Since many low-cost grocery store goods, like cabbage, broccoli, wild blueberries, and beans, are already superstars, I often have my doubts about “superfoods” that are imported from other countries. So, please, don’t think that in order to be healthy, you “need” to eat acai. Simply said, these smoothie bowls are a tasty way to experience an unfamiliar fruit.
What stores sell acai?
Acai pulp is available in single-serving packets in the frozen fruit aisle at Trader Joe’s and health food stores. Buy the unsweetened variety, please. One of the most well-known companies, Sambazon, practices sustainable harvesting, which is crucial given that we’re dealing with an Amazonian product.
I have a ton of alternative smoothie recipes if you can’t locate acai or don’t want to buy it. A bowl of this green mango smoothie would be fantastic!
Also read: No-Bake Greek Yogurt Tart
INGREDIENTS
- Frozen mango chunks, 1 1/2 cups
- 1 cup of chunks of frozen pineapple
- 1 cup frozen banana chunks (ripe bananas frozen in slices 12 inch thick)
- Dual packets (3.5 ounces or 100 grams each) frozen açai berry purée without sugar
- 1 cup of ice-cold water, plus more if required
- lime juice, 1 to 2 teaspoons, to taste
- Suggestions for garnishes: Sliced fresh banana, kiwi, or other tropical fruits; coconut granola; unsweetened coconut; chopped almonds; chia seeds; and coconut;
INSTRUCTIONS
- The frozen mango, pineapple, and banana should all be combined in a blender. To partially defrost the aça packets, run them under warm water for 10 seconds. Then, cut them open, and add the aça pulp to the blender.
- Pour the cold water into the container, shut the lid tightly, and begin blending at the lowest speed possible until you can get momentum. As that happens, increase to high speed. If necessary, stop the blender to scrape down the sides, and if it still won’t blend, add another 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of water. (I used the tamper that included with my Vitamix; no additional liquid was required.)
- To taste, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and blend just long enough to incorporate. Place the smoothie in bowls and decorate with your preferred garnishes. Serve right away, or cover and store in the fridge for up to three days.
NOTES
STORAGE ADVICE: Save adding fresh fruit or granola to smoothie bowls until right before serving if you intend to have leftovers.
I recommend using a blender like my Vitamix to make this smoothie extra creamy (affiliate link).