Acai (ah-sah-hee) is one of the richest sources of antioxidants on the planet. Cultivated in a tiny region within the Amazon rainforest it has become internationally popular due to the iconic Brazilian acai bowl. Tourists to Brazil and the international surf community are the reasons behind the globalization. We were introduced to acai bowls in Santa Barbara, California several years ago.

We were the first business to bring acai bowls to Melbourne and have picked up a few simple tricks that make them easier to create at home.

Powder over frozen packs…

The common perception of acai is that it has to be bought frozen. Not true. Those frozen packs are filled out with water, they cost more than you need to pay and often contain sweeteners like cane juice. Buy the dry powder instead. It’s cheaper and takes up less storage.

But How do i turn powder into a creamy Acai Bowl?

The secret behind the texture is actually frozen bananas. You’re making banana nice cream with a superfood mixed in for antioxidants and colouring.
The recommended frozen pack method is equal parts frozen acai to frozen banana. So we just create our own frozen pack with ice blocks from the freezer and the dried acai powder.

The blender is key!

With any frozen fruit nice cream, the blender will determine your results. You need a stick blender. If you haven’t already overpaid for a Vitamix then don’t. They are the most overrated kitchen appliance that exists. Buy an Optimum 9400 or something with a similar design. The stick design allows you to manipulate the dense matter into cream.

 

Basic Acai Bowl recipe: 

• 1 large banana, frozen
• 2 handfuls of ice
• 1 tablespoon of acai powder
• ½ cup almond milk or coconut water
• 4 tablespoons of granola on top

A basic acai bowl is just that, but there’s room to add more nutrients and flavour:

• A handful of greens that you won’t taste – spinach or kale
• Frozen berries – more antioxidants
• Frozen pineapple or mango for tropical sweetness
• Peanut butter or any homemade nut butter
• Vanilla or chocolate protein powder for sweetness and satiation
• Two dates or some honey or coconut sugar or rice malt syrup or whatever sweetener you’ve been convinced is currently the healthiest
• Vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste is also amazing if you pair it with something sweet
• Coffee – create a mocha flavour with cold drip coffee or cold espresso and cacao/cocoa