Açaí berries have been praised again and again for their health benefits and have been particularly touted for their ability to aid in weightloss and detoxification. There is no doubt they are rich in antioxidants and are full of fiber for a healthy digestive system.
Most recently, açaí bowls have been on-trend. Many local juice bars now offer various versions of blended açaí berries, topped with fresh fruit, granola and other crispy-crunchy toppings. After sampling a few of these around town, I decided to put my favorite blender to the test once again. You can find frozen açaí berries (usually already blended) at health or specialty food stores. I picked up the package below at my local Whole Foods.
After experimenting with blended açaí berries a few times, I found that adding some other frozen berries, such as blueberries and/or raspberries helps to thicken the consistency and makes for a much more enjoyable smoothie bowl than one that is too soupy. The goal is for it to be more like ice cream or frozen yogurt than liquid juice. To make sure things blend together smoothly, I also threw in a few splashes of almond milk.
Additionally, if you want to up the ante and turn this into a true super-snack, throw in a scoop of protein powder and a sprinkling of blended chia seeds. You won’t taste the difference, and you’ll get even more macro nutrients out of the deal.
Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, top with anything you like. I like to use fresh fruit, nuts and toasted coconut flakes. Having these sort of toppings to crunch on makes the snack whole lot heartier (more like an actual meal). If you’re looking for even more flavor, drizzle some honey and sprinkle cinnamon across the top (like I did in the top photo). I can’t quite explain it, but the act of eating this blended treat with a spoon is oh-so-much more satisfying that drinking a smoothie through a straw. It must be psychological.
Enjoy!
