Great for your health, great for the environment!
People describe the taste of Açaí
as a mix of chocolate and blueberries... but here’s the best bit:
It's really good for you! Açaí has been shown in laboratory analysis to have higher antioxidant levels than Blueberries, Pomegranates or red wine. In addition, it is unique among fruit in that it contains healthy omega oils (6 & 9).
What’s more eating Açaí benefits the environment and people of the Amazon! Greenpeace have listed Açaí as one of the most important non-timber forest products from the Amazon. By helping provide an income, the indigenous people have an ability to sustain themselves and the rainforest.
Why choose Açaí frozen pulp?
The actual fruit is about the size of a large blueberry, but mostly consists of a large inedible seed. The edible part is the outer skin and a thin layer of fruit. Soon after the Açaí berries are harvested, they are usually mashed to make a pulp. In parts of Brazil, where Açaí trees grow, they have this fresh on the day it was picked. In fact, until very recently (1990's), it was only available in the Amazon area. Now frozen Açaí pulp can be eaten all over the world - as fresh as you would
find in the best juice bars of Rio. By freezing Açaí, all of the goodness is locked in - as fresh as the day it was picked.

Açaí deteriorates rapidly after harvest, so it must be frozen on the same day it was picked. We ensure that all of our Açaí is picked, pulped and frozen on the same day, so you can be guaranteed the same freshness as you would get in the Amazon itself!
Grades of Açaí
In Brazil, the ministry of agriculture have laid down standards for Açaí pulp. There are 3 recognised grades. The grade determines how much water has been added to make the pulp. The top grade with the most fruit is known as Especial, the others are known as Medio and Popular. It is Brazilian law that the grade is printed on the pack. If you want the best, make sure it says Especial. Sublime Food will only ever supply Especial grade Açaí.
Freeze dried Açaí
Freeze dried Açaí is made by taking Açaí pulp and extracting all of the moisture under a vacuum. Although Freeze drying is a very effective way of preserving nutrients, this can never match the experience of eating freshly frozen Açaí pulp. Freeze dried Açaí can be used to add an energy boost to juices, smoothies, yoghurt, cereals, you

name it.
Açaí has become popular in Rio de Janeiro and the beaches of southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as Açaí na tigela ("Açaí in the bowl"), mixed with Guarana, banana and topped with Granola (see our recipe page for details). It is said that the Gracie family mixed Açaí with Guarana to use it as part of their training regime. Generations of the Gracie family have become world champion fighters.
As Açaí deteriorates rapidly after harvest, its raw material is generally available outside the immediate growing region only as juice or fruit pulp that has been frozen, dried, or freeze-dried. Several companies now manufacture juices, health drinks, yoghurts, and sorbets made from açaí berries, often in combination with other fruits.