The Origins and Distribution of the Acai Berry |
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The acai berry grows in groves on 25 meter high palm trees. Best known as a Brazilian fruit, the acai berry can also be found throughout Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and the Guyanas. Acai can be harvested year-round due to South America's warm climate. While it is becoming widely known in North America for its its use in vitamin supplements, juices and energy drinks, acai has traditionally been used by South Americans to treat diseases and conditions such as stomach ailments. In addition to being used for medicinal purposes, acai is an important part of daily life and mealtime. However, the acai berry is extremely delicate and thus cannot be kept more than 2 days, even refrigerated. Throughout Brazil, such as in the state of Para, acai berries are harvested and sold immediately in town markets. It is widely available and made by locals into juices or “acai wine,” which requires additional processing. It's also added as a component of breakfast. Depending on the region of Brazil, you may find it in ice cream where it has a pale purple hue. It is also sometimes incorporated into a side dish at the evening meal, where it is thickened with tapioca flour and served with fish, shrimp, meat, rice and beans. While commercial opportunties abound for acai, there is increasing awareness of the environmental impact of acai harvesting. The acai plant is necessary for soil conservation, particularly in tropical areas that receive heavy rains. Only a portion of the 1,000,000 hectares of acai groves are currently being developed using sustainable management techniques, however certain juice distributors are working with local farmers to cultivate the acai berry more responsibly. Areas like Para now export up to 80% of its acai pulp throughout Brazil and the world, including Japan, the U.S, South America and Europe. Sustainability must be an ongoing priority so that native acai tree forests are protected. In the long term, these careful measures will positively benefit the commercial acai industry. |
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