Features

• An individual acai berry has a diameter of around one inch and contains one seed that is almost one half the size of the whole berry. Immature berries are green in color, however ripe berries are very dark purple. Between the skin and the seed there is a layer of thick pulp that is the same color as the skin. The berries grow in clusters that typically include between 800 and 1000 berries.

Taste

• The taste of the acai berry is distinct and strong. Unlike most berries which tend to be sweet, the flavor of acai is tart and sour to the point of being unpleasant. However, its taste has not deterred it from being incorporated into a variety of juices, smoothie powders, yogurts and ice cream flavors, although it is often mixed with other berries to improve the flavor.

Nutritional Value

• Along with pomegranate and blueberry, the acai berry has been classified as a "super fruit" due to its rich nutritional value. This value is the product of its habitat next to the Amazon River, which rises to flood its banks six months out of the year. In order to survive the prolonged submersion and protect the seed, the skin of the berry is tough and the pulp rich in vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants.

Health Claims

• The sudden fame of the acai berry as a super fruit has led to the development of many dietary supplements that utilize it as the main ingredient. Manufacturers of the supplements have suggested that in addition to its value as an anti-oxidant, acai berry can help increase energy, improve libido, aid digestion, clear skin infections, detoxify the body, reduce cholesterol, help heart function and improve sleep. However, the main marketing claim is that acai supplements assist in weight loss. While reputable research does not deny the value of the berry as a nutritional product, the extent of the supplement's claims have yet to be verified.

Cost

• Due to the fact that most of the world's supply of acai berries are grown near the banks of the Amazon, supply is limited and therefore the cost of the fruit is high. One ounce of frozen acai pulp can cost between 50 cents and one dollar, or around 30 cents per pound higher than frozen blueberry pulp.